XRP Whales Wake Up: $100,000+ Transfers Hit 3-Month High

XRP’s price fell to $2.16 on January 8, according to on-chain data and market reports. The token has been under pressure as it failed to maintain local highs earlier in the year. Despite the price decline, whale activity surged to a three-month high on January 6, with 2,802 transactions exceeding $100,000 in value.

The increased whale activity highlights a growing divergence between large-holder behavior and overall market direction. While whales appear to be actively repositioning, the price of XRP continues to decline, raising questions about their motives. Santiment data shows that large transactions spiked from 2,170 on January 5 to 2,802 on January 6, a sharp increase that has not translated into price strength.

Meanwhile, XRP ETFs recorded a significant outflow of $40.8 million on January 7, marking the first outflow since the products launched in November 2025. This outflow comes just two days after a record $46.1 million inflow, creating volatility in the ETF market. Total assets under management for XRP ETFs dropped from $1.65 billion to $1.53 billion during the period.

Why Did This Happen?

WisdomTree, a major asset manager, withdrew its XRP ETF application with the SEC on January 6. The firm stated it had decided not to proceed at this time, and no shares were sold under the registration. This withdrawal occurred as other XRP ETFs continued to attract strong inflows, with total assets surpassing $1.25 billion in early January.

The move by WisdomTree appears to reflect market saturation, as other ETF providers such as Bitwise, Canary, and 21Shares have already captured significant market share. The firm's decision may also have been influenced by the timing of the market, as it entered late in a competitive landscape.

How Did Markets React?

XRP’s price dropped further following the news of WisdomTree’s withdrawal. The token fell approximately 5% on January 6, trading at $2.20 at the time of the filing update. This price decline erased gains from the previous week and wiped out roughly $5 billion in market cap.

Despite the price drop, institutional demand for XRP remains strong. On January 6 alone, XRP ETFs recorded $19.12 million in net inflows. Franklin Templeton’s XRPZ ETF led the day with $7.35 million in inflows, followed by Canary’s XRPC with $6.49 million according to reports.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

On-chain data shows that XRP whales are actively accumulating, with some large holders adding $3.6 billion to their positions in a single day. This trend suggests that institutional investors and large holders are positioning for a long-term move in the token’s value.

However, network activity on the XRP Ledger has declined significantly, with daily active addresses dropping by more than 90% since March 2025. This decline raises questions about the token’s utility and whether it can maintain long-term demand.

Standard Chartered has reiterated its bullish view on XRP, predicting that the token could reach $8 by the end of 2026. The bank attributes this forecast to improving U.S. regulations and strong institutional interest in XRP ETFs.

As the year progresses, analysts will be watching for key price levels such as $2.00 and $1.80, which could determine the direction of the token. If XRP fails to hold above $1.80, it could face further downward pressure, while a rebound above $2.00 could signal renewed institutional confidence.

In the coming months, the success of XRP will depend on both regulatory developments and the ability of the token to demonstrate real-world utility. With the SEC still processing several ETF applications, the landscape for XRP could remain dynamic.