XRP investors are currently on high alert following a startling move by Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, who recently transferred a hefty 50 million XRP to exchanges. This action has ignited fears of a potential sell-off, stirring a whirlwind of speculation and excitement in the crypto community.
The implications of this transaction are noteworthy. Larsen, while having moved a significant amount, still retains a staggering 2.58 billion XRP in his wallet, valued at around $8.83 billion. Such a substantial holding raises eyebrows among analysts, who warn that further sell pressure could be on the horizon, prompting them to urge caution among XRP investors.
After hitting impressive highs above $3.60 on July 17, the XRP market witnessed a sharp turn, dropping 13% soon after Larsen’s wallet activity came to light. Observers are divided; some view this as a prudent profit-taking measure by Larsen, while others interpret it as an ominous signal for future sell-offs.
Adding to the conversation, J.A. Maartunn, an analyst at CryptoQuant, voiced his concerns on social media, advising XRP holders to remain vigilant. “Don’t get dumped on,” he cautioned, emphasizing that if this initial $200 million transaction was merely a precursor, the next moves could be even more significant. Maartunn’s words serve as a stark reminder of the volatility inherent in the crypto markets, and they carry a clear message: safeguard your investments.
🚨 Chris Larsen (Ripple co-founder) still holds 2.58B $XRP — that’s $8.83B. If $200M was just the warm-up… what’s next? Don’t get dumped on. Don’t be the exit liquidity. Protect yourself. 👇 https://t.co/k152FXlm8N pic.twitter.com/T5CpTQjdDa— Maartunn (@JA_Maartun) July 25, 2025
The reactions from the market reflect a broader sense of anxiety. XRP’s price has settled at approximately $3.18 amidst a backdrop of market volatility, driven in part by Bitcoin’s recent tumble to $114,500. This decline was triggered by movements within a dormant Satoshi-era wallet, leading to over $500 million in liquidations across the crypto landscape within just 24 hours, according to CoinGlass.
As apprehension looms, the XRP community remains vigilant, particularly regarding Larsen’s considerable stash of tokens. The critical question now is what his next moves could mean for XRP’s market trajectory. Investors and analysts alike are on high alert, watching for any signs of further distribution and its potential impact on the price momentum of XRP.
Interestingly, despite the current tension, XRP’s perpetual futures market has shown unexpected resilience. Last week, notional open interest for XRP futures hit a record-breaking $8.8 billion, indicating a robust appetite among traders. For perspective, this figure corresponds to nearly 2.9 billion XRP in open contracts—up from the previous record of $8.3 billion set earlier this year.
The funding rate across exchanges remains positive and is on the rise, suggesting that bullish sentiment persists. Furthermore, the number of wallets holding at least one million XRP tokens has surged to an all-time high, with these wallets controlling over 47.32 billion tokens collectively. This phenomenon reflects a growing confidence among large holders, despite the uncertainty triggered by Larsen’s recent actions.
In the midst of all this turmoil, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse disclosed plans to withdraw the company’s cross-appeal against the SEC. This announcement, coupled with speculation that the SEC might also retract its appeal, leaves room for cautious optimism within the XRP community.
In conclusion, as the XRP landscape evolves, investors face an intriguing crossroads. With powerful figures like Chris Larsen in play, the volatility of the crypto market can ignite fear as swiftly as it sparks hope. Staying informed and vigilant is critical for anyone navigating this dynamic space. What do you think the repercussions of Larsen’s actions will be? Will we see further sell-offs, or is there light ahead for XRP? The crypto world is watching closely.