SBI Holdings, a long-time Ripple partner, has transferred 320 million XRP, valued at $703 million, ahead of Ripple’s scheduled 1 billion XRP escrow release on July 1. The move, first flagged by Whale Alert, is sparking speculation about its timing and potential market impact, particularly as XRP’s price has shown upward momentum in recent weeks.
The transfer originated from SBI VC Trade’s wallet, moving 160 million XRP twice to a newly created address (r9z…RCZ) on June 30. The creation of this wallet just before the transfer suggests the move may be part of custodial restructuring or strategic reallocation, rather than an external sale.
XRP has seen an 8% rise over the past week, with trading volume jumping 37% to $1.91 billion, indicating heightened investor interest amid these large transactions.
Ripple’s 1B XRP Unlock Adds to Speculation
Ripple, which began its monthly escrow unlocks in 2017, is set to release 1 billion XRP on July 1 following June’s $2.21 billion XRP release. The firm unlocked 1 billion XRP in May as well, executed in three tranches of 500 million, 300 million, and 200 million XRP.
The proximity of SBI’s large XRP transfer to Ripple’s escrow unlock schedule has fueled market discussions on potential liquidity management or market-making strategies involving XRP. Analysts are debating whether the move signals bullish momentum or is simply part of Ripple and SBI’s operational processes.
Notable points:
- SBI Holdings actively uses XRP as a bridge currency in Japan.
- Japan’s clear regulatory framework treats XRP as a crypto asset, not a security, providing legal stability for Ripple and SBI to expand XRP’s role in payments.
- The upcoming escrow unlock will add to XRP’s circulating supply, impacting liquidity and market flows.
Why XRP Investors Remain Optimistic
Despite concerns about the scale and timing of SBI’s transfer, the transaction appears to be an internal reallocation aligned with strategic custodial management. The rise in XRP’s price and trading volume following the transfer indicates positive or neutral market reception rather than panic selling.
Additionally, SBI’s continued use of XRP as its default bridge currency and Japan’s supportive regulatory stance reinforce long-term confidence in XRP as an asset class. With Ripple’s escrow release nearing, investors will closely monitor XRP’s price action to gauge the impact of additional supply against rising demand in global crypto markets.
For now, SBI’s $703 million XRP move is seen not as a threat but as a potential signal of XRP’s strengthening role in institutional crypto strategies.
