Ripple Unveils 4 Billion XRP Release, Sparking Market Speculation

Ripple, the blockchain-based payment company, has released 4 billion XRP tokens over the past year, according to recent reports. This move comes as the company continues to expand its ecosystem and promote the adoption of its native cryptocurrency, XRP.

At press time on March 5, 2025, the total number of XRP tokens in circulation reached 62.8 billion, hinting at an acceleration in the unlocking process to 4 billion per year. This increase in supply has sparked speculation about the potential impact on the XRP price and market dynamics.

When the XRP Ledger launched in 2012, 100 billion XRP were created in the genesis XRP account on the genesis ledger. This account is hardcoded, with all keys held by Ripple. The company has been gradually releasing these tokens into the market, with a monthly release schedule set in 2017.

Following President Trump's announcement of including crypto assets in the U.S. strategic reserve, billions in XRP tokens and thousands of bitcoin were moved to exchanges. This move has been interpreted as a sign of increased institutional interest in XRP and other cryptocurrencies.

Analysts have been weighing in on the potential impact of these developments on the XRP price. One expert predicts that XRP could reach $222 if historical trends repeat, while a less bullish forecast suggests a near-term target of $30. The current market trends indicate a potential breakout ahead for Ripple's native asset, with XRP price jumping more than 5% today and hovering near the $2.5 mark.

Ripple's native asset has also seen a significant increase in the number of addresses, with a 620% surge in the last 7 days. This growth in adoption has been attributed to the positive market sentiment surrounding President Trump's endorsement of XRP and the anticipated resolution of the long-standing SEC lawsuit against Ripple.

The Ripple vs. SEC case could conclude as early as March, sparking renewed optimism among traders. The US SEC has dismissed a flurry of crypto lawsuits recently, further boosting market sentiment. The resolution of this legal battle could significantly boost the asset's price in the coming days.

On-chain sleuth ZachXBT recently spotlighted billions worth of XRP linked to Rip