Upbit 19M XRP Shuffle Sparks Whale Alert, Actually Internal

Published: 2025-08-16 19:47:20 |

In August, crypto commentator John Squire reported on X that a single trader moved 19 million XRP (≈$61 million) in one Upbit transaction. Whale Alert flagged the transfer from an Upbit address to an unknown wallet, triggering speculation of large-scale XRP accumulation. The token briefly spiked between $3.01 and $3.15, peaking at around $3.11—a 6% gain since July. On-chain analysis later confirmed the 19 M XRP move was an internal transfer between hot and cold wallets for liquidity and security management, not a fresh buy. Despite the clarification, the incident underscores how whale alerts can drive short-term market volatility. Technical indicators remain supportive: XRP’s 200-day moving average is rising, signaling strong long-term momentum, while short-term trends stay mixed. Analysts forecast XRP could test $4 by year-end, backed by easing US inflation, expected Fed rate cuts, strong Asian liquidity, and favorable regulatory outlooks. For traders, this episode highlights two lessons: whale alerts on major exchanges like Upbit can sway sentiment, and verifying on-chain data is essential to distinguish genuine accumulation from routine internal transfers.

Neutral

While the 19 M XRP transfer initially spurred bullish speculation, on-chain verification confirmed it was an internal liquidity shuffle, not fresh accumulation. This clarification dampened sustained buying pressure, making the net impact on trading activity neutral. In the short term, whale alerts on exchanges like Upbit can trigger rapid price swings as traders react to perceived large buys. Historically, similar internal transfers on major platforms have created brief volatility before prices stabilize. Over the long term, XRP’s rising 200-day moving average, easing US inflation, anticipated Fed rate cuts, and robust Asian liquidity support a gradual uptrend toward $4. However, traders should verify on-chain data to differentiate between genuine whale accumulation and routine exchange operations.