XRP Whales Feast on $1.44B as ETFs Dance in the Dark

by

XRP may still look stuck on the charts, but bigger holders clearly haven’t stopped accumulating. According to on-chain data shared by Santiment, the XRP Ledger has now reached an all-time high of 332,230 wallets holding at least 10,000 XRP. A veritable gala of digital opulence, where the wealthy sip from the same champagne flute of speculation.

The findings, like a slow-burning fuse, reveal a steady ascent since June 2024, even through all the sideways price action and volatility this year. Though the numbers aren’t great, out of more than 7.7 million activated XRP addresses, wallets holding 10,000 XRP or more are considered part of a pretty exclusive bracket. Based on XRP rich list data, that amount puts a holder roughly in the top 5% globally-a club where the members are as rare as a well-timed punchline.

Santiment says this kind of wallet growth usually points to long-term conviction rather than short-term trading. In simple terms, larger holders seem more interested in positioning early instead of waiting for hype and momentum later. A strategy as patient as a tortoise in a race against a sloth.

But here lies the paradox: the accumulation keeps growing even though XRP is still trading below previous highs. Instead of chasing breakouts, many holders appear more comfortable buying during uncertainty. A testament to the human spirit, or perhaps just a lack of better options.

ETF Exposure Keeps Expanding

On the other hand, big firms are showing interest in XRP products. According to Whale Insider, ETF clients recently bought another $5.31 million worth of XRP, pushing total XRP ETF-held assets to around $1.44 billion. While Bitcoin and ETH ETFs saw a routine outflow in comparison, XRP stayed positive on the trend-like a stubborn parrot refusing to stop squawking.

JUST IN: ETF clients buy $5.31 million worth of $XRP, bringing total ETF-held net assets to $1.44 billion.

– Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) May 13, 2026

That’s adding to the idea that institutions are still quietly building exposure even while retail traders grow frustrated with XRP’s slow movement. A dance of patience and impatience, if you will.

February Panic Didn’t Last

Santiment also highlighted that more than 4,500 large XRP wallets disappeared between February 6 and 8 earlier this year. A digital exodus, if you will, as if the whales had collectively decided to take a vacation to the moon.

However, the firm says that the drop was likely tied to the broader crypto market liquidation event on February 5 rather than anything directly related to XRP itself. A scapegoat, perhaps, for the chaos of the market’s own making.

Since then, the number of large wallets has fully recovered and pushed to fresh all-time highs again. A phoenix rising, but with more decimals and fewer feathers.

XRP Still Needs a Breakout

Moving on to XRP, price action remains stuck inside a tight consolidation range along with much of the crypto market. A prisoner of its own inertia, perhaps, or a poet waiting for the right rhyme.

Macro analyst Neel said XRP still needs a clean break above the $1.60 level before any meaningful short-term rally can begin. According to him, a move above $2.00 would likely trigger stronger momentum and shift sentiment more aggressively bullish again. A prophecy, perhaps, or just a hopeful guess.

$XRP remains stuck in a tight range along with the broader crypto market.

It needs a clear break above $1.60 for any meaningful short-term rally.

A move above $2.00 would generate fresh momentum.

CTs are clearly not happy with this sideways price action.

– Neel (@NeelMacro) May 12, 2026

For now, though, many traders across crypto social media remain frustrated with XRP’s sideways movement even as accumulation quietly continues in the background. A silent symphony, if you will, played by the ghosts of investors past.

Read More

2026-05-13 10:39