XRP Whales Amass Tokens Despite Price Drop

What to Know:

• XRP has declined 50% since Q4 2025 amid a broader crypto market downturn.
• Despite the price drop, whale addresses have accumulated 3 billion XRP tokens, suggesting a potential buying opportunity.
• The behavior of whales could signal long-term confidence, relevant for institutional investors monitoring accumulation patterns.

XRP has faced significant headwinds, mirroring the broader crypto market’s struggles since late 2025. The digital asset has seen its market capitalization cut in half. Yet, amidst this downturn, a notable trend has emerged: larger whale addresses are accumulating XRP, potentially signaling a strategic long-term outlook.

XRP’s Market Value Takes a Hit

XRP has been among the hardest-hit digital assets during the recent market turbulence. Starting October 2025 at $2.84, XRP’s price has since plummeted to around $1.41, marking a 50.3% decline. At its lowest point in February, XRP touched $1.11, a 61% decrease from its October valuation. This price action has reduced XRP’s market cap from $170.5 billion to approximately $86 billion, contributing significantly to the overall $1.52 trillion loss in the crypto market.

Whale Accumulation Amidst Downturn

Despite the bearish price action, a specific cohort of investors—addresses holding between 10 million and 100 million XRP—has been actively increasing their positions. These whales held a cumulative balance of 7.89 billion XRP tokens as of October 1, 2025. As the market declined, these addresses increased their holdings, particularly during a sharp price drop in late November. This accumulation trend has continued, with these whales now holding 10.9 billion XRP tokens, representing an accumulation of over 3 billion XRP since Q4 2025.

Shark Behavior: Selling Pressure

In contrast to the whale accumulation, smaller addresses, classified as sharks (holding between 100,000 and 1 million XRP), appear to be reducing their exposure. These sharks held 6.55 billion XRP tokens as of October 1, 2025, but have since decreased their holdings to 6.33 billion tokens, distributing 220 million XRP during the same period. This divergence in behavior between whales and sharks may reflect differing investment strategies or risk tolerances.

Potential Implications and Market Outlook

The accumulation by larger XRP holders could indicate a belief in the asset’s long-term potential, regardless of the current price slump. Such behavior is often interpreted as a bullish signal, suggesting that these investors view the downturn as a buying opportunity. However, it is important to consider broader market dynamics, including regulatory developments and macroeconomic factors, which could influence XRP’s future performance.

Institutional Perspective

For institutional investors, the contrasting behaviors of XRP whales and sharks provide valuable insights into market sentiment and potential future price movements. Whale accumulation, in particular, can be a leading indicator of renewed interest and potential price appreciation. However, a comprehensive risk assessment should also consider the ongoing regulatory uncertainties surrounding XRP and Ripple, which could impact institutional adoption and market liquidity.

In conclusion, while XRP has faced significant downward pressure, the strategic accumulation by whale addresses suggests a potential floor may be forming. As always, investors should conduct thorough due diligence and consider their own risk tolerance before making investment decisions in the volatile crypto market.

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Source: Original article