Ripple Releases 1,000,000,000 XRP During 17% Market Drop; 700,000,000 XRP Returned to Escrow
Ripple moved 1,000,000,000 XRP in four consecutive transfers amid a sharp crypto market sell-off that pushed XRP down roughly 17% (from about $1.80 to $1.54). Whale Alert recorded transfers of 400,000,000, 100,000,000, 400,000,000 and 100,000,000 XRP, collectively worth about $1.62 billion at the time. Following the releases, Ripple returned roughly 700,000,000 XRP to escrow (noted transfers of 400,000,000 and 300,000,000 XRP), consistent with its long-running monthly liquidity programme that began in 2018. The price movements occurred alongside a broader market crash led by Bitcoin, which fell more than 14% amid macro headlines about a hawkish Federal Reserve nominee. At the time of reporting, XRP had recovered slightly to around $1.59 while Bitcoin traded near $76,965. Key keywords: Ripple, XRP, escrow, Whale Alert, Bitcoin crash, liquidity.
Bearish
The immediate impact is bearish. Large on-chain transfers of XRP during a market-wide sell-off increase supply on exchanges and heighten selling pressure and uncertainty among traders. Although 700 million XRP were returned to escrow—part of Ripple’s routine monthly liquidity management—the initial release of 1 billion XRP coincided with a Bitcoin-driven crash, amplifying downward price momentum. Historically, Ripple’s monthly releases have occasionally coincided with short-term volatility: big unlocks can trigger spiking volumes and quick price drops if market liquidity is thin. Short-term traders should expect elevated volatility and potential further downside if selling continues or if additional escrow releases coincide with weak market sentiment. In the medium to long term, the regularity of Ripple’s escrow mechanism (monthly release followed by partial relocking) tends to be priced in by markets; persistent buying from exchanges, RippleNet institutional flows, or broader crypto bullishness would be required to offset recurring supply. Monitor on-chain flows, exchange inflows, and Bitcoin macro drivers (e.g., Fed appointments, rate expectations) for trade signals. Key risk: spike in exchange inflows and correlated BTC weakness triggering further declines; potential catalyst for mean-reversion if buyers absorb released supply.