XRP has surged over 29% in value over the past 12 days, climbing from $0.4771 to a two-and-a-half-month high of $0.6209. This notable rally has caught the attention of both retail and institutional investors, with on-chain data revealing a significant uptick in whale activity and wallet accumulation. As large-scale transactions spike to a three-month high, analysts are pointing to growing confidence among “smart money” investors who appear to be positioning themselves ahead of potential market momentum.
Whale Activity Surges Amid Price Rebound
The recent price movement aligns closely with increased on-chain activity from major XRP holders—commonly referred to as whales and sharks in the crypto space. According to data from on-chain analytics firm Santiment, the number of wallets holding at least 10,000 XRP (approximately $5,930 at current prices) has reached an all-time high of 277,620. This milestone underscores growing retail participation alongside institutional interest.
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Santiment highlighted this trend on X (formerly Twitter), noting that XRP had reclaimed the $0.60 valuation for the first time since its August 16 dip. The firm emphasized that whale involvement has been steadily increasing throughout the recovery phase. A key indicator—large transactions exceeding $1 million—spiked to a three-month peak on October 31, 2023, with 255 such transfers recorded in a single day.
This surge in high-value transactions signals strong market conviction. Historically, spikes in whale activity have preceded or coincided with significant price movements, suggesting that informed players may be accumulating ahead of upcoming catalysts.
Ripple’s Monthly Escrow Release Fuels Market Movement
Adding to the momentum, Ripple released 1 billion XRP from its escrow account at the start of November—a routine monthly event. Whale Alert tracked three major transfers: 500 million, 400 million, and 100 million XRP, respectively. While these releases are pre-announced and typically factored into market expectations, their execution often triggers short-term volatility and renewed trading volume.
Beyond the escrow movements, several other large transfers were observed:
- Ripple sent 50 million XRP (~$29.87 million) to an unknown wallet.
- 24.9 million XRP (~$14.9 million) moved from an unidentified wallet to Bitstamp.
- Bybit transferred 30 million XRP (~$17.2 million) to another unknown address.
These flows suggest active redistribution rather than immediate sell pressure, potentially indicating strategic positioning by large entities or exchanges preparing for increased demand.
Smart Money Bets on XRP/BTC Momentum
Analyst Jaydee has shifted focus to the XRP/BTC trading pair, arguing that discerning investors are watching this metric more closely than USD-denominated price action. On X, he stated, “I’m paying more attention to the XRP/BTC chart. Smart money is respecting the multi-year trendline.”
The weekly XRP/BTC chart reveals a well-established support trendline touched four times over several years. Each touch has triggered a substantial bullish reversal:
- A massive 415% rally following one bounce
- Subsequent surges of 230%, 101%, and 60%
This repeated reaction suggests strong underlying demand when priced in Bitcoin, often seen as a barometer of long-term crypto investor sentiment.
Jaydee noted the most recent bounce off this trendline, commenting: “Look at that bounce on XRP/BTC chart! Looks like SMART MONEY are buying now while DUMB MONEY were buying the lawsuit narratives.” His observation highlights a shift from speculative hype—such as legal developments around Ripple’s SEC case—toward technical strength and on-chain fundamentals.
At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $0.5983, having pulled back slightly after testing resistance near $0.62. Technical analysis shows rejection at the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement level on the daily chart, suggesting consolidation may continue before the next directional breakout.
Core Keywords Driving Market Sentiment
Key terms shaping the current discourse around XRP include:
- XRP whale transactions
- Smart money buying XRP
- XRP price prediction
- Whale wallet accumulation
- On-chain analysis
- Ripple escrow release
- XRP/BTC chart
- Large crypto transfers
These keywords reflect growing interest not just in price performance but in behavioral indicators that often precede broader market moves.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What qualifies as a 'whale' in the XRP market?
A: In cryptocurrency, a whale typically refers to an individual or entity holding a large amount of a digital asset. For XRP, wallets holding 10,000 or more tokens (worth ~$6,000) are often classified as whale wallets due to their potential to influence market movements.
Q: Why is the XRP/BTC pair important for analysts?
A: The XRP/BTC chart removes USD volatility and reflects true demand relative to Bitcoin. When altcoins gain value against BTC, it often signals strong organic buying pressure from experienced traders—commonly referred to as smart money.
Q: Does Ripple’s monthly escrow release affect XRP’s price?
A: While predictable, the release of 1 billion XRP per month can create short-term selling pressure if funds are immediately sold. However, recent data shows much of the released supply is being held or strategically moved, limiting immediate market impact.
Q: How reliable is whale transaction data as a market signal?
A: Whale activity is considered a leading indicator because large players often act before major price shifts. Sustained increases in high-value transactions—especially above $1 million—suggest accumulation or preparation for volatility.
Q: What does 'smart money' mean in crypto investing?
A: Smart money refers to institutional investors, seasoned traders, or entities with access to advanced analytics and market insights. Their behavior is closely watched because it tends to anticipate trends rather than follow retail-driven hype.
Q: Is the current XRP rally sustainable?
A: Sustainability depends on continued on-chain activity, low sell-off pressure from whales, and broader market conditions. With record wallet growth and technical support holding firm, the foundation for further upside appears solid—if Bitcoin remains stable.
Final Thoughts: A Shift From Hype to Fundamentals
The current momentum behind XRP reflects a maturing narrative—one moving beyond legal speculation and into measurable on-chain strength. With whale transactions at a three-month high, wallet adoption at an all-time peak, and smart money favoring the XRP/BTC pair, the ecosystem shows signs of organic growth and strategic accumulation.
As markets evolve, tools that provide real-time visibility into large transfers and wallet behavior become increasingly valuable.
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