Coinbase Moves 16.7M XRP in Jaw-Dropping Shuffle—What’s the Play?

Coinbase just shifted a staggering 16.7 million XRP—enough to make even the most jaded crypto trader sit up. The move sparks speculation: Is this a routine rebalance or something bigger brewing?

The Whale-Sized Transaction

No one moves that much XRP without raising eyebrows. The transfer—worth millions—comes as Ripple’s legal saga drags on, leaving the market hypersensitive to big moves.

Timing Is Everything

With XRP’s price still volatile post-SEC drama, Coinbase’s timing feels deliberate. Are they positioning for a rally, or just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic? (Hey, it’s crypto—both are plausible.)

The Bottom Line

Whether this is strategic genius or just another day in crypto’s casino economy, one thing’s clear: When exchanges move, the market listens. And right now, everyone’s ears are perked.

TLDR

• Coinbase completed a transfer of 16.7 million XRP worth approximately $53.16 million on Monday.
• Tracking services initially reported the transaction as a large deposit to Coinbase from an external holder.
• On-chain analysis later confirmed that the transfer was internal between two Coinbase cold wallets.
• The sending wallet was labeled 197 and the receiving wallet was labeled Cold Wallet 6 by tracking platforms.
• Both wallets are part of Coinbase’s deep reserves and each typically holds around 16.5 million XRP.

Coinbase processed a major XRP movement on Monday involving 16,698,207 tokens worth approximately $53.16 million. The transfer occurred in one transaction to the exchange during morning hours. Tracking services immediately flagged the activity, and social channels quickly circulated the alert.

Market observers initially assumed that a large external holder had sent XRP to Coinbase. However, on-chain analysis later confirmed the movement was an internal transfer. Both sending and receiving wallets belong to Coinbase’s cold storage system.

These wallets, labeled “197” and “Cold Wallet 6,” are part of Coinbase’s DEEP reserves. Each typically holds around 16.5 million XRP. This transfer represented a small portion of Coinbase’s total holdings.

Internal XRP Move Highlights Coinbase Strategy

On-chain data identified both wallets as long-standing Coinbase reserve addresses. Analysts noted that 27 similar high-balance wallets remain active. Each continues to store large amounts of XRP for operational purposes.

🚨 🚨 🚨 16,698,207 #XRP (53,165,037 USD) transferred from unknown wallet to #Coinbasehttps://t.co/kxca5ldroS

— Whale Alert (@whale_alert) August 11, 2025

The transfer indicates routine reshuffling or internal security management rather than external inflows. Coinbase has performed similar movements in the past without affecting market supply. Large internal shifts often aim to optimize custody arrangements.

“Cold wallet operations are part of standard exchange procedures,” tracking service representatives explained. Such actions reduce hot wallet exposure and maintain liquidity safety. Therefore, the transaction carried no signs of market-driven liquidation.

Market Impact Remains Limited

XRP traded around $3.18 following the transaction, showing minimal market response. The price has stayed in a narrow range since late July. Resistance remains clear at $3.30.

Breaking this resistance could lead XRP toward $3.50 and possibly $3.70. Failure to breach may sustain the sideways pattern. Coinbase’s XRP reserves remain substantial despite the recent shift.

With many reserve wallets still active, similar transfers may occur again. Each will likely draw attention as traders monitor XRP ledger activity. Coinbase’s large-scale cold wallet management remains a regular operational process.