Ripple has released 1 billion XRP from escrow in four transactions worth approximately $1.49 billion, with the token trading near the $1.50 mark. The move represents a sizable gross release, but it does not establish how much XRP will ultimately reach the market.
The October 1 transactions were split into 400 million, 300 million, 200 million and 100 million XRP. The release comes as XRP tests resistance around $1.50, creating a point of focus for traders while the net supply effect of the unlock remains unknown.
The transfers are consistent with Ripple’s monthly escrow schedule, which permits up to 1 billion XRP to be released. Ripple introduced the system to provide greater visibility into the token’s supply, with unused XRP eligible to be locked again in new escrow contracts.
As a result, the scheduled release can affect expectations for potential liquidity without necessarily creating immediate selling pressure.
Gross Release Does Not Equal Market Supply
Ripple’s 2017 escrow announcement stated that 55 billion XRP, or 55% of the possible supply, had been placed into escrow. The arrangement allows up to 1 billion XRP to become available each month under the established schedule.
What happens after the release is more important for determining the actual supply impact. The tokens may remain controlled by Ripple, be used for business or other purposes, or be returned to escrow.
Historical reporting has documented substantial re-escrowing during earlier monthly release cycles. This makes the distinction between gross XRP unlocked and net XRP deployed critical when assessing potential market pressure.
On-chain data from the days following the release should show how the tokens are handled. Movements back into escrow or transfers to other wallets can help establish how much of the 1 billion XRP remains outside the escrow system.
Until those transactions are confirmed, the $1.49 billion figure should be interpreted as the value of XRP released from escrow rather than proof of $1.49 billion in new market supply. An unlock alone also does not indicate that Ripple has sold the tokens.
XRP Faces Resistance Near $1.50
The price structure places XRP near an important technical area. The Bollinger Bands show resistance around $1.52 and support near $1.47, while the broader $1.47-$1.50 zone has been identified as a nearby support and resistance area.
The 200-period EMA is positioned around $1.41, with additional support between roughly $1.41 and $1.45. XRP is therefore testing the upper end of its current range while also facing the 50-period average.
A sustained hold above $1.47 would keep the existing structure intact. A break below that level could expose XRP to the $1.41-$1.45 support region.
On the other hand, a move through approximately $1.52 would put the immediate resistance zone under pressure and provide evidence that buyers are attempting to push XRP higher.
The key question following Ripple’s latest release is therefore not simply how much XRP was unlocked, but how much remains available after any re-escrowing or subsequent transfers.
Until the post-unlock movements become clear, the event confirms a scheduled change in XRP availability rather than a confirmed 1 billion XRP increase in market supply.
For traders, XRP’s reaction around the $1.47-$1.52 range, combined with subsequent on-chain movements, should provide a clearer picture of whether the escrow release has translated into meaningful additional market liquidity.
