Key Takeaways
- Large XRP holders now control 45.8 billion tokens — a level not witnessed since May 2018
- This accumulation accounts for 68.5% of XRP’s entire circulating supply, valued at more than $68.5 billion
- Spot XRP ETFs in the United States manage only $1.25 billion in total assets, with inflows stagnant since early 2026
- The token has remained confined within a $1.30–$1.60 corridor during the first six months of 2026
- Derivatives data from Deribit suggests merely a 2% probability of XRP surpassing $2 before June begins
Major XRP holders have amassed their largest concentration of tokens in nearly a decade, yet the market price continues to languish. According to blockchain analytics from Santiment, addresses containing a minimum of 10 million XRP tokens now possess a combined 45.83 billion units — approximately 68.5% of all tokens in circulation. Market analyst Chad Steingraber highlighted this development on X, characterizing it as “an 8-year high last seen in May 2018.”
Based on today’s valuation, this whale-controlled inventory exceeds $68.5 billion in total worth. By comparison, American spot XRP exchange-traded funds managed merely $1.25 billion in aggregate assets as of the latest reporting.
Santiment’s blockchain metrics also revealed a notable surge in network engagement. During XRP’s brief climb past $1.54 — marking its strongest performance in eight weeks — active wallet addresses peaked at 48,453, representing the highest count since March 30, while newly created addresses totaled 3,317, the most substantial figure since March 19. While Santiment acknowledged that portions of this activity stem from speculative enthusiasm, increased blockchain utilization typically signals healthier long-term price fundamentals.
Exchange-Traded Fund Activity Paints Contrasting Picture
The surge in whale accumulation gained momentum during late 2025, aligning with robust ETF capital inflows following the November 2025 debut of spot XRP investment products. However, this institutional appetite diminished approaching the year-end holidays and has remained essentially dormant throughout 2026.
ETF tracking information from SoSo Value indicated that whale blockchain activity has similarly plateaued — maintaining approximately 68% of total supply for multiple consecutive months. Whale Insider documented on X that ETF participants contributed $10.87 million in fresh XRP purchases, elevating combined ETF-managed assets to $1.18 billion according to that particular assessment.
XRP has maintained its position within the $1.30 to $1.60 boundary since Q2 commenced. During current trading sessions, the digital asset was exchanging hands near $1.445, reflecting a 1.96% decline across the preceding 24-hour period.
Critical Chart Levels Under Market Surveillance
Technical analyst ChartNerdTA has pinpointed an extended cup-and-handle formation on XRP’s price chart extending nearly eight years. Fibonacci projection modeling suggests a prospective long-range objective exceeding $8 should a verified pattern completion materialize, although no definitive breakout has yet manifested.
In the near term, XRP maintains its position above the 50-day exponential moving average on daily charts while encountering friction near the $1.50 threshold. Technical commentary observed the price transitioning from a descending channel formation into a rising broadening wedge configuration.
Critical thresholds under observation encompass foundational support positioned around $0.89, intermediate accumulation territory spanning $1.40 to $1.50, overhead resistance concentrated at $1.60–$1.70, and an extended Fibonacci target above $8 contingent upon pattern confirmation.
Traders utilizing Deribit options contracts are assigning only a 2% likelihood that XRP penetrates the $2 threshold before May concludes.
XRP was changing hands at approximately $1.445 during current market hours, registering a 1.96% decrease over the previous 24-hour trading window.
