XRP whale wallets have increased despite price consolidation, suggesting accumulation by large holders. The broader crypto market is influenced by regulatory developments, ETF flows, and macro conditions.
What to Know:
- XRP whale wallets have increased despite price consolidation, suggesting accumulation by large holders.
- The broader crypto market is influenced by regulatory developments, ETF flows, and macro conditions.
- Increased whale activity can impact XRP liquidity and market structure, but is currently offset by weak price trends.
XRP has experienced a modest decline since the start of 2026, trading around $1.90, even as on-chain data indicates growth in the number of large-balance wallets. This divergence between price action and accumulation patterns has created a cautiously optimistic outlook for the token. Investors are closely monitoring these accumulation signals against a backdrop of subdued short-term price trends.
Whale Wallets Rise Amid Price Consolidation
Santiment reported on January 29 that XRP has seen a net increase of 42 wallets holding at least one million tokens since the beginning of the year. This marks the first increase in “millionaire” wallets since September 2025. While the price has modestly declined by about 4% over the same period, this suggests accumulation rather than distribution among larger addresses.
As of this writing, XRP is trading at $1.88, reflecting a decrease of approximately 2% over the past 24 hours and 4% over the last seven days, according to CoinGecko data. On a monthly basis, the token is slightly up by about 2%, but it remains approximately 40% lower than its value a year ago.
Technical data indicates that XRP is trading around 25% below its 200-day moving average, which is near $2.50. Risk-adjusted metrics also reflect caution. The 30-day Sharpe Ratio is close to zero, indicating that recent returns have provided little compensation for volatility. Short-term momentum readings suggest consolidation rather than a strong directional movement.
ETF Flows, Regulation, and 2026 Expectations
Crypto investment firm 21Shares recently provided a framework for XRP’s potential path in 2026, projecting a base-case price near $2.45, a bull case around $2.70, and a bear case closer to $1.60. These projections are heavily influenced by regulatory clarity following the August 2025 settlement of the SEC case, which has allowed U.S. institutions and regulated funds to re-engage with XRP.
21Shares also highlighted U.S. spot XRP ETFs as a potential source of structural demand, noting over $1.3 billion in assets under management within their first month. However, the firm cautioned that sustained inflows, growth in tokenization activity, and adoption of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin are necessary to justify higher valuations.
Recent technical analysis indicates that XRP is moving within a narrow range between $1.80 and $2.00. Analysts are closely watching whether the token can reclaim resistance near $2.00. The increase in large wallets contrasts with a market that remains hesitant, leaving XRP in a holding pattern as 2026 progresses.
In conclusion, while the increase in XRP whale wallets suggests a potential bullish signal, the token’s price remains range-bound amid broader market uncertainties. Factors such as regulatory developments, ETF performance, and macroeconomic conditions will likely play a crucial role in shaping XRP’s trajectory in the coming months.
Related: XRP Lawsuit Dismissed: Ripple Wins Appeal
Source: Original article
Quick Summary
XRP whale wallets have increased despite price consolidation, suggesting accumulation by large holders. The broader crypto market is influenced by regulatory developments, ETF flows, and macro conditions. Increased whale activity can impact XRP liquidity and market structure, but is currently offset by weak price trends.
Source
Information sourced from official Ripple publications, institutional research, regulatory documentation and reputable crypto news outlets.
Author
Ripple Van Winkle is a cryptocurrency analyst and founder of XRP Right Now. He has been active in the crypto space for over 8 years and has generated more than 25 million views across YouTube covering XRP daily.
Editorial Note
Opinions are the author's alone and for informational purposes only. This publication does not provide investment advice.

