XRP News Today: XRP Whales Accumulate $1B Amid Centralization Concerns and Price Pivots

A significant movement of XRP has recently captured attention within the cryptocurrency market, as 257 million XRP tokens, valued at approximately $706 million, were transferred from Ripple's controlled wallet to an unknown destination. The transaction, identified by XRP influencer Xaif Crypto, sparked widespread speculation within the XRP community about its potential implications for the token’s price trajectory. On-chain data suggests the sender is linked to the crypto exchange Kraken, although the specific intent behind the transfer remains unclear [4].

This movement comes amid broader market volatility for XRP. Following the resolution of Ripple’s protracted legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), XRP experienced sharp price swings. A July 2023 ruling by Judge Analisa Torres determined that XRP traded on exchanges did not constitute a security, providing Ripple with some regulatory breathing room. However, the mixed verdict—where institutional sales of XRP were still classified as securities—fell short of a complete victory for the company. The legal battle officially concluded in August when both parties dropped appeals, allowing the market to stabilize near $2.85, although the token had previously surged to an all-time high of $3.65 earlier in the year [1].

The recent XRP transaction is also noteworthy due to its alignment with an observed accumulation trend. According to Bitcoinist, large XRP holders—often referred to as “whales”—have amassed nearly $1 billion worth of the token. Analysts view this trend as a potential bullish catalyst, especially if XRP can reclaim the psychological $3 price level. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez noted that XRP must hold the $2.74 support level to avoid a further decline. If it can maintain this level, the token may gain momentum to reach new highs [4].

Market observers are closely monitoring price patterns. Egrag Crypto, a prominent analyst, highlighted that XRP’s price needs to close above $2.85 to signal a stronger bullish bias. A sustained close above $2.90 is considered a key threshold, with the $3.077 to $3.13 range seen as a critical consolidation zone. Should the token move beyond this range with high trading volume, it could indicate a larger upward trend. Analysts predict that a successful close above $3.40 might lead to a 200% price surge [4].

Despite these potential catalysts, XRP’s path forward remains uncertain. The token’s centralization—controlled by Ripple—poses structural challenges distinct from decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This concentration of supply and control raises questions about XRP’s long-term appeal to institutional investors and its ability to benefit from emerging products such as spot ETFs. The approval of a leveraged XRP futures-based ETF in July has not yet translated into broader institutional adoption, as many investors remain cautious about the token's regulatory and governance risks [3].

Source:

[1] Ripple-SEC News: 'XRP Army' Credited by Lawyers in ... (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/09/04/xrp-army-credited-with-helping-ripple-tilt-case-against-sec)

[2] Are banks ready for XRP? SWIFT exec voices apprehensions (https://cryptoslate.com/swift-cio-questions-ripple-and-xrps-readiness-for-global-banking-standards/)

[3] XRP (Ripple) Plunged Below $3. Buy the Dip, or Run for ... (https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/xrp-ripple-plunged-below-3-buy-dip-or-run-hills)

[4] Here's The Large XRP Transaction That Has Got Tongues ... (https://bitcoinist.com/a-large-xrp-transaction/)