Ripple’s 500M XRP Unlock & 400M Relock: Strategic Play or Market Maneuver?
Ripple just executed a high-stakes token ballet—unlocking half a billion XRP while swiftly relocking 400 million. Here's why it matters.
Behind the curtain: The crypto giant's latest escrow shuffle shows calculated liquidity management. Or is it just another 'trust us' move in an industry allergic to transparency?
Pro tip: Watch how this plays with SEC scrutiny looming. Because nothing says 'decentralized' like scheduled multi-million dollar token releases, right?
TLDR
- Ripple unlocked 500 million XRP from escrow on July 1 as part of its monthly schedule.
- The unlocked XRP was quickly distributed to two separate Ripple-managed wallets.
- Ripple relocked 400 million XRP into escrow after internal transfers between multiple wallets.
- The July release was smaller than the usual 1 billion XRP monthly unlock.
- XRP experienced a price drop from $2.32 to $2.15 but recovered slightly to $2.18.
Ripple initiated its routine escrow activities on July 1, unlocking 500 million XRP in a scheduled monthly operation. The rebalancing moved large volumes of XRP between several wallets before 400 million XRP were returned to escrow. This latest cycle reflected a deviation from the typical 1 billion XRP release seen in prior months.
XRP Unlock Sees Reduced Volume and Swift Redistribution
Ripple began the month with a 500 million XRP unlock from its escrow system, handled through the Ripple (27) wallet. Unlike past transactions that typically release 1 billion XRP, this unlock marked only half that amount. However, redistribution occurred almost immediately after the unlock.
🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 🔓 500,000,000 #XRP (1,088,449,301 USD) unlocked from escrow at #Ripplehttps://t.co/NmaLWcy2wZ
— Whale Alert (@whale_alert) July 1, 2025
Ripple (27) transferred 200 million XRP to the “rN8pqR” wallet at 23:58 UTC in a single transaction. Shortly after, the same wallet moved 300 million XRP to the “rKwJaG” address, finalizing redistribution. These transactions left Ripple (27) still holding 500 million XRP.
This operational pattern suggests Ripple may be adjusting its distribution strategy for July. Although only 500 million XRP was unlocked so far, more releases could occur later this month. The current activity aligns with Ripple’s previous behavior of splitting unlocks across several days.
Ripple Locks 400M XRP After Internal Transfers
Following the redistribution, Ripple began its customary rebalancing by relocking 400 million XRP into escrow. This was managed through the Ripple (15) wallet, which executed the lock shortly after midnight UTC. Before this action, two separate wallets sent funds to Ripple (15).
Wallet “rGKHDy” transferred 200 million XRP at 23:55 UTC to Ripple (15). Just three minutes later, wallet “rHGfmg” completed the second 200 million XRP transfer. These coordinated actions prepared the tokens for relocking.
Ripple then moved 400 million XRP back to escrow from the Ripple (15) account. This action effectively reduced the net circulating XRP from the earlier unlock. The company’s operations indicate continued control over the circulating supply.
XRP Price Sees Market Impact Amid Broader Trends
XRP price responded with brief volatility, falling from $2.32 on June 30 to $2.15 the next day. This decline occurred alongside Bitcoin’s dip after testing the $105,000 mark. XRP later saw a small recovery, trading at $2.18.
Min. $6.50 at the first extension target, but I actually am planning to sell a chunk NEAR $8. Once we start breaking to new high, I think I'll be able to narrow down a top
— CasiTrades 🔥 (@CasiTrades) June 30, 2025
Despite recent price fluctuations, analysts have set a July target of $6.5 minimum for XRP. Some projections suggest the price could extend to $8. These predictions remain speculative and depend on broader market conditions.
