Ripple prepares to unlock 1 billion XRP
Ripple releases 1B XRP in delayed $2.2B move, breaking monthly pattern.
Ripple released 1 billion XRP from escrow on May 3 in three separate transactions, worth over $2.2 billion.
The move marks a departure from its consistent monthly release pattern that has remained unchanged since 2017, reports Cryptopolitan.
Traditionally executed on the first of each month, this release came two days later, raising speculation about Ripple’s shifting liquidity strategy.
The release—500 million, 300 million, and 200 million XRP—was tracked by Whale Alert. Uniquely, Ripple had already relocked 700 million XRP the day prior, continuing a new pattern first observed in March, where the company locks tokens before rather than after a monthly release. Analysts believe this change may reflect internal policy shifts or a response to prevailing market conditions, though Ripple has not commented publicly.
Market watching XRP’s consolidation range
XRP has traded between $1.96 and $2.50 in early May, with analysts observing consolidation above key technical levels, including the 0.5 Fibonacci retracement and the $1.80 support line. Crypto analyst Casitrades noted that XRP may retest $2.25 and could dip as low as $1.90, citing an overbought RSI reading. Still, if the token maintains strength above $2.25, upside targets of $2.68 and $3.00 remain viable.
Institutional positioning grows amid legal clarity
Sentiment around XRP has shifted as institutional players increase their exposure following Ripple’s legal victory over the SEC. Crypto commentator John Squire argued that XRP is “loading,” with large investors preparing for a breakout. The CME Group is set to launch cash-settled XRP futures later this month, following Coinbase’s April product debut.
Rumors of an XRP trust from BlackRock are adding to speculation that Wall Street is quietly accumulating exposure ahead of broader market moves. While short-term price action remains neutral, the structural setup suggests XRP may be entering a new phase of institutional acceptance.
Recently we wrote that Ripple Labs has transferred 500 million XRP, worth approximately $1.1 billion, prompting initial concerns over a potential market dump.
