XRP News Today: Ripple Co-Founder's $897M XRP Transfer Sparks Legal Scrutiny as 60M Tokens Move to Exchanges

Onchain data indicates that a wallet attributed to Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen executed approximately 60 million XRP in transactions starting July 15, 2025. The activity, identified by blockchain tracking platforms such as xrpscan.com, involves transfers from a wallet labeled "5," which previously held 500 million XRP but now retains 282.49 million XRP, valued at roughly $897 million [1]. This movement follows a smaller test transaction of 1.6 XRP to Coinbase on July 17, which was followed by four additional transfers of 2 million XRP each to the same exchange [1].

Larsen’s wallet 5 is part of a cluster of eight addresses suspected to be linked to him, collectively holding 2.58 billion XRP worth approximately $8.21 billion. Wallets 1 through 4 remain static with over 500 million XRP each, while wallets 6-8 have seen limited activity. The transfers to "rHtLaipqqfbhg" and other addresses suggest potential links to exchanges, OTC desks, or institutional players [1].

The activity aligns with historical patterns of XRP distribution from restricted wallets, though the scale has intensified scrutiny. Analysts note that such movements could reflect liquidity adjustments or strategic asset reallocations, particularly amid ongoing legal challenges involving Ripple and U.S. regulators [1]. Onchain detective ZachXBT highlighted that $140 million in XRP had reached exchanges or services by July 19, further amplifying market speculation [1].

Larsen’s recent activity follows a 2024 wallet hack that drained 213 million XRP, attributed to a 2022 LastPass security breach [1]. This context raises questions about whether the July transfers represent routine portfolio management, exchange-bound liquidity, or a more calculated strategy. Prior to the recent moves, wallet 5 had sent 1.5 million XRP to Coinbase on June 16, alongside similar transfers to other addresses in June [1].

The broader market context remains mixed. While XRP’s price has shown choppy performance in July, large whale activity often precedes increased trading volumes if interpreted as signals of shifting supply dynamics [3]. However, Bitcoin’s price dipped below $118,000 in the same week, reflecting broader crypto market volatility [5].

Speculative interpretations of the data include Dark Defender’s Elliott wave analysis on Facebook, which posits XRP could target $3 before consolidation [6]. Such forecasts remain unverified by transaction data and are not endorsed by Ripple or Larsen.

The transactions have not yet translated into immediate price action for XRP but have drawn attention from crypto platforms like CoinGecko and Binance-linked profiles [2][4]. As Ripple continues its legal defense against the SEC, the focus remains on whether these movements will influence short-term investor behavior or regulatory scrutiny [1].

Sources:

[1] [Bitcoin.com News (@BTCTN) / X](https://x.com/btctn?lang=en)

[2] [XRP to BTC: XRP Price in Bitcoin](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/xrp/btc)

[3] [Lidia Yadlos - Blockster](https://blockster.com/member/lidia-yadlos)

[4] [Square-Creator-37f929fcc's Profile - Binance](https://www.binance.com/en-NZ/square/profile/Square-Nadeem-49fa9bbab41f)

[5] [Coinbase XRP Whale Activity - Blockster](https://blockster.com/member/lidia-yadlos)

[6] [Dark Defender’s Elliott Wave Analysis - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/groups/cryptogb/posts/24028011986819241/)