XRP Price at Risk: Ripple Whales Dump 280M Coins – Could It Drop to $1.2 by December 2025?
- Why Is XRP’s Price Under Pressure?
- How Significant Is the 280M Coin Dump?
- Will XRP Hit $1.2? Historical Patterns Say…
- What’s Driving the Whale Exodus?
- Can XRP Recover? Key Levels to Watch
- FAQs: Your XRP Sell-Off Questions Answered
The XRP market is facing turbulence as Ripple whales offload a staggering 280 million coins, sparking fears of a plunge to $1.2. This analysis dives into the sell-off’s implications, historical context, and what traders can expect next. Buckle up—it’s going to be a bumpy ride. ---
Why Is XRP’s Price Under Pressure?
Ripple’s XRP has been a rollercoaster for investors, but December 2025 is shaping up to be particularly wild. On-chain data reveals that whales—large holders often capable of swaying markets—have dumped 280 million XRP tokens in recent weeks. This sell-off aligns with a 15% price drop since early December, pushing XRP dangerously close to the $1.2 support level. Analysts at BTCC note that similar whale activity preceded the 20% crash in July 2025, suggesting history might repeat itself.

How Significant Is the 280M Coin Dump?
Let’s put this into perspective: 280 million XRP is worth roughly $336 million at current prices. When sums this large move, markets tremble. Data from CoinMarketCap shows XRP’s trading volume spiked by 40% during the sell-off, indicating panic selling among retail traders. "Whales often act as trendsetters," says a BTCC market strategist. "Their exits can trigger cascading liquidations, especially in Leveraged markets."
---Will XRP Hit $1.2? Historical Patterns Say…
XRP hasn’t traded at $1.2 since March 2025, but technical charts hint at a possible return. The $1.2 level served as strong support during the 2024 bear market, and TradingView’s Fibonacci retracement tool suggests it could reappear as a psychological floor. However, not everyone’s pessimistic. Some traders argue that Ripple’s ongoing legal clarity (after the SEC settlement) and adoption by payment providers like BitPay could cushion the fall.
---What’s Driving the Whale Exodus?
Three theories dominate: 1. Profit-Taking : Whales who bought at $0.50 during the 2023 slump are cashing out. 2. ETF Speculation Fading : Hopes for an XRP ETF approval by December 2025 have dwindled. 3. Macro Jitters : Rising interest rates are pushing investors toward safer assets. "Whales aren’t stupid—they front-run retail," quips a crypto Twitter influencer. "If they’re selling, they know something we don’t."
---Can XRP Recover? Key Levels to Watch
For bulls, holding $1.5 is critical. If that breaks, $1.2 becomes the next battleground. On the upside, reclaiming $2.0 could invalidate the bearish thesis. BTCC’s order book data shows massive buy walls at $1.3, suggesting some players are betting on a rebound. Meanwhile, derivatives markets show open interest rising—a sign that traders are doubling down on volatility.
---FAQs: Your XRP Sell-Off Questions Answered
How often do Ripple whales sell XRP?
Large sell-offs (100M+ coins) occur 3-4 times yearly, per CoinMarketCap historical data. December dumps are common due to tax-related liquidations.
Should I buy XRP at $1.2 if it gets there?
This article does not constitute investment advice. That said, $1.2 has historically been a accumulation zone for institutions.
Is Ripple still using XRP for cross-border payments?
Yes—Ripple’s Q3 2025 report confirmed a 30% YoY increase in XRP-powered transactions.