XRP News Today: Ripple Co-Founder Offloads $344M XRP, Sparking 17.5% Price Drop and Market Concern

Ripple co-founder and executive chairman Chris Larsen continues to offload significant portions of XRP, intensifying market concerns. On July 16, 2025, Larsen transferred $26 million worth of XRP to Coinbase, followed by another $175 million in transactions the next day, according to blockchain tracking tools like XRPscan and analyst ZachXBT. These moves, which included large allocations to exchanges and services, coincided with XRP hitting a seven-month high of $3.25 and triggered a subsequent price correction. By July 17, the token had dropped below key technical levels, declining from $3.66 to $3.02 as large-scale selling pressure became evident [1].

The pattern of offloading, now totaling approximately 106 million XRP ($344 million) since January 2025, has drawn scrutiny from traders and analysts. Larsen’s transactions frequently align with XRP price peaks, suggesting a strategy to capitalize on favorable market conditions. Blockchain analysts note that his wallet activity—dispersing tokens across multiple addresses, including 30 million and 10 million XRP transfers—mirrors prior high-volume sales. Despite Ripple’s lack of public explanation, the frequency and scale of the transactions have fueled speculation about potential motives, ranging from liquidity management to broader strategic shifts [2].

Market reactions have been volatile. The July 2025 sell-offs coincided with a sharp decline in XRP’s value, as seen on Binance’s 4-hour chart, where the token fell below critical moving averages. Analysts highlighted the fragility of XRP’s liquidity, with shallow order books amplifying the impact of large-scale transactions. Retail investors, particularly those with smaller holdings, faced significant losses, as described by Twitter user Blanc (@blancxbt), who noted the distress of “Uber drivers” affected by the price drop [1].

Ripple’s leadership activity remains under intense observation. Larsen’s estimated holdings of 2.6 billion XRP—despite the recent sales—have raised questions about the company’s centralized control over its native token. Critics argue this structure undermines XRP’s decentralization, while Ripple maintains that such offloads are part of standard financial operations. The timing of the July sales, however, has exacerbated skepticism, especially given ongoing legal challenges and regulatory uncertainties surrounding the firm.

Analysts also linked the offloading to broader market dynamics. South Korean exchange Upbit was reportedly involved in the July 2025 transactions, though the exact role remains unclear. Meanwhile, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse separately warned of rising XRP-related scams, emphasizing investor caution [2]. The token’s struggles contrasted with Ethereum’s 3% decline in the same period, underscoring crypto markets’ heightened sensitivity to large institutional actions [1].

The latest movements highlight the delicate balance Ripple must maintain between operational flexibility and market confidence. With no immediate resolution to its legal battles and liquidity concerns persisting, the XRP community remains focused on leadership-linked wallets for further signals. The recent $738 million XRP offloading during a 20% price surge earlier in July further complicates the narrative, suggesting a nuanced interplay between strategic asset management and market stability [1].

As XRP attempts to stabilize, the focus remains on whether Larsen’s actions reflect a one-time adjustment or a broader shift in Ripple’s approach to XRP reserves. The outcome will likely influence investor sentiment and regulatory perceptions, with the firm’s stewardship of the token continuing to draw sharp scrutiny from both supporters and critics.

Sources:

[1] [Crypto Markets Retreat After Liquidation of $737 Million](https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-983654-20250724)

[2] [Software Dev Sends Important Message to XRP Holders ...](https://timestabloid.com/software-dev-sends-important-message-to-xrp-holders-amid-price-dump/)