XRP News Today: Chris Larsen Sends $140M XRP to Exchanges as Price Drops 15% from 7-Year High

A wallet linked to Ripple co-founder and Executive Chairman Chris Larsen has transferred 50 million XRP—valued at approximately $175 million—to four addresses between July 17 and July 24, 2025. Analysis from blockchain tracker ZachXBT highlights that $140 million of this transfer was directed to centralized crypto exchanges, raising speculation about potential sell-off intentions [1]. The movement coincided with XRP hitting a seven-year all-time high of $3.65 on July 18, pushing its market capitalization to $215 billion, a figure briefly surpassing McDonald’s valuation [1]. Critics accuse Larsen of “dumping” the asset, with social media users expressing frustration over the timing, as XRP’s price subsequently retreated to $3.10 [1].

Larsen’s remaining holdings, estimated at 2.81 billion XRP (worth $8.4 billion), represent nearly 5% of the token’s total market capitalization, amplifying concerns about liquidity risks if a significant portion were liquidated [1]. The transaction sparked debate on platforms like X, where users labeled the move exploitative, while others defended it as a strategy to decentralize XRP’s distribution. A commenter under the alias 0xLouisT argued the transfers aimed to “decentralize holdings to longer-term holders,” ensuring a fairer supply distribution [1].

The broader crypto market has seen renewed interest in XRP, driven by its surge and ongoing regulatory developments. Top fund managers are reportedly preparing paperwork to seek approval for XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications in the United States, reflecting growing institutional confidence [1]. However, the controversy underscores tensions between market participants and high-profile figures, as liquidity decisions by major stakeholders can significantly sway investor sentiment.

The incident also highlights the dual role of XRP as both a corporate asset and a tradable token. Ripple’s ability to maintain XRP’s top-five crypto ranking amid such transactions remains a point of contention. While some view the transfers as a natural outcome of decentralized governance, others question the ethics of large-scale token movements during speculative price peaks.

Source: [1] [Ripple’s Chris Larsen Sparks Backlash For Sending $140 Million In XRP To Exchanges Near All-Time Highs] [https://zycrypto.com/ripples-chris-larsen-sparks-backlash-for-sending-140-million-in-xrp-to-exchanges-near-all-time-highs/]