XRP News Today: XRP Whale Transfers Surge 15% Then Drop 13.65% as $140M Moved to Exchanges

Recent large-scale XRP transfers by major wallet holders, or "whales," have intensified market uncertainty, with analysts warning that such movements could amplify volatility in a crypto landscape already reeling from regulatory pressures and macroeconomic instability. Over $140 million worth of XRP was transferred to exchanges between July 17 and early August 2025, including a 50 million XRP move by Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, valued at approximately $140 million at the time [1]. Concurrently, an unknown wallet sent 16.8 million XRP (~$53.4 million) to Coinbase on July 23, according to Whale Alert data, further stoking speculation about bearish intentions [2].

The timing of these transactions has drawn scrutiny, as whale activity is often linked to shifts in market sentiment. Analysts caution that large-scale transfers can destabilize prices if perceived as bearish signals [3]. For instance, XRP prices initially plummeted following a major whale dump on July 22 but later surged 15% to $3.20, reflecting conflicting investor reactions [4]. However, renewed selling pressure saw the token drop 13.65% by July 26 as traders focused on the $3.06 support level amid panic-driven liquidations [5].

Institutional interest in XRP remains pronounced, with futures open interest reaching $11 billion—a figure underscoring large-scale participation [3]. Meanwhile, Japanese exchanges have intensified campaigns to boost XRP adoption, aligning with Ripple Labs' ongoing supply management efforts [1]. These initiatives, however, contrast with broader market turbulence, as Bitcoin and Ethereum also faced declines. Galaxy Digital's movement of over 61,000 BTC to exchanges since mid-July highlights a wider trend of institutional hedging amid uncertainty [7].

Historical patterns suggest similar whale-driven events could trigger significant price swings. Analyst Tom Tucker noted that XRP had recently completed a bullish cup-and-handle breakout above $3.40, potentially setting the stage for a rally toward $5.27 [5]. Yet, the current trajectory remains contingent on broader market conditions and investor sentiment, with analysts urging caution. The upcoming ETF decision, expected later this month, is seen as a pivotal factor that could either stabilize current price levels or exacerbate volatility [6].

Market responses to whale activity underscore a lack of consensus. While some interpret large transfers as signals of capitulation or profit-taking, others view them as liquidity management strategies [8]. Traders are increasingly advised to avoid overreliance on whale movements without contextual analysis, as such actions may inadvertently amplify fragility. The situation remains fluid, with analysts emphasizing the need to focus on macroeconomic trends rather than isolated transactions as the crypto market navigates regulatory and macroeconomic headwinds.

Sources:

[1] [XRP Network Activity Drops 43% as Whale Transfers Drive...](https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-xrp-network-activity-drops-43-whale-transfers-drive-11-price-slide-2507/)

[2] [$XRP Whale Moves 16.8M Tokens to Coinbase](https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/27520120600290)

[3] [Chris Larsen Transfers 50M XRP, Analysts Warn 2.58B...](https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-chris-larsen-transfers-50m-xrp-analysts-warn-2-58b-holdings-pose-sell-pressure-risk-2507/)

[4] [XRP Rockets to $3.20 Despite Whale Exodus](https://www.btcc.com/en-AU/square/blockchainNEWS/698322)

[5] [XRP Tumbles After Hitting $3.66 High — Is a Recovery in...](https://coinpedia.org/news/xrp-price-drop-etf-support-level-analysis-2025/)

[6] [Panic Selling Could Crash Bitcoin - What Investors Need to...](https://en.bitcoinsistemi.com/?p=172567)

[7] [80K Bitcoin Whale Identity Uncovered? MyBitcoin Wallets...](https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-989731-20250727)

[8] [Ripple Co-Founder's Big XRP Transfer Sparks New...](https://thecoinrise.com/ripple-co-founders-big-xrp-transfer-sparks-new-warnings/)