Eseandre Mordi
Recent on-chain activity shows a substantial shift in XRP (Ripple) whale behavior, with billion-dollar wallets trimming their positions as the market enters a consolidation phase. This movement comes at a time when the broader crypto market faces liquidity rotation and increased macro uncertainty.
Whales Trim XRP Holdings as Market Consolidates
Over the past week, data from Santiment shared by trader STEPH IS CRYPTO uncovered a major redistribution among large XRP holders. Wallets containing more than 1 billion XRP have reduced their balances by approximately 1.09 billion tokens, equivalent to roughly $2.63 billion at current prices.
The tracking chart shows billion-plus wallets dropped from 26.18 billion to 25.1 billion XRP after October 16, 2025, while mid-sized holders declined from 8.3 billion to 8.1 billion tokens. This suggests institutional whales are offloading positions, possibly anticipating macro events or market liquidity shifts.
Why Are XRP Whales Selling Now?
The timing aligns with market uncertainty. Despite Ripple's progress in institutional partnerships and cross-border solutions, XRP's momentum has stalled below $0.55. Whales appear to be securing profits while reducing exposure as capital flows toward Bitcoin and AI-related assets. This doesn't necessarily signal long-term weakness, as similar whale activity has historically preceded accumulation phases.
Market Analysts See Redistribution, Not Panic
Key observations include:
- Controlled sell-down patterns rather than aggressive dumping
- Portfolio adjustments typical before quarter-end rebalancing
- Slight increase in retail accumulation during the same period
- Steady market confidence among smaller holders
This suggests that while whales step back, retail participants are using price stability to build long-term positions. The redistribution appears strategic rather than driven by panic or fundamental concerns about XRP's future.
Eseandre Mordi
