Blockchain heavyweight Ripple Labs has moved more than 630 million XRP in a flurry of high-value transactions involving internal wallets and unknown entities. The activity, which began late on June 1, 2025, precedes the company’s standard 1 billion XRP unlock, sparking speculation across the crypto ecosystem.
These developments, first tracked by Whale Alert, come amid a growing trend of strategic XRP movements by Ripple, even as questions linger about its evolving escrow practices.
XRP Transfers Signal Internal Restructuring
According to on-chain data, the first notable transfer occurred at 11:00 p.m. UTC, when 330 million XRP were sent from one Ripple-tagged wallet to another. Blockchain explorer XRPScan later confirmed this was an internal transaction — a transfer from Ripple 26 to Ripple 1.
Just two minutes later, Ripple 26 initiated another transfer, moving 170 million XRP to a third Ripple-managed wallet, tagged Ripple 15. These wallet shuffles appear to be part of a larger internal realignment, potentially ahead of broader distribution or operational liquidity adjustments.
Also Read: 500M XRP Moved in One Day, But Price Drops — What’s Really Going On?
Ripple Locks Down 670M XRP in Escrow
The most notable deviation from Ripple’s standard protocol, however, is the absence of the anticipated 1 billion XRP monthly unlock on June 1 — a long-standing tradition observed at the beginning of each month. Instead, Ripple performed a dual-lock escrow operation totaling 670 million XRP.
- 200 million XRP were secured in escrow from Ripple 14
- An additional 470 million XRP were locked using Ripple 15, which had just received a portion of the shuffled tokens
This move aligns with a pattern Ripple began establishing earlier this year. For example, in May 2025, Ripple also conducted internal transfers and escrow locking before officially releasing the monthly billion. The delayed timing in June could suggest an operational pivot or increased sensitivity to market dynamics.
Ripple 39 Moves 130M XRP to External Wallets
Activity didn’t stop with escrow operations. Just after 11:14 p.m. UTC, a wallet tagged Ripple 39 began offloading XRP to unidentified external addresses. Specifically:
- 50 million XRP were sent to wallet rGBvE…9aBk2
- 40 million XRP each were transferred to rHVjf…QsZW7 and rDK26…ziAee
These outbound transfers totaled 130 million XRP, potentially destined for liquidity providers, partner institutions, or strategic reserves.
With 470 million XRP now in escrow and 130 million XRP redirected externally, Ripple has already moved 600+ million tokens this month — and it’s only the first week of June.
What’s Behind Ripple’s Tactical Shifts?
Ripple’s evolving escrow and transfer pattern is noteworthy given the company’s long-standing use of escrow accounts to control XRP’s circulating supply.
Historically, Ripple releases 1 billion XRP on the first day of each month and relocks the unused portion. However, since late 2024, Ripple appears to be exploring more nuanced strategies, possibly in response to:
- Increased demand from financial institutions using RippleNet for cross-border payments
- Liquidity requirements related to Ripple’s upcoming stablecoin, RLUSD
Adding to the intrigue is Ripple’s rising involvement in new markets. The firm recently expanded its presence in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, regions where demand for on-demand liquidity (ODL) solutions is surging.
XRP Price Holds Steady Amid Whale Activity
Despite the heavy movements, XRP’s price remains relatively stable. As of this writing, XRP is trading at $2.15, reflecting muted volatility in response to the transactions — a sign that markets have grown accustomed to Ripple’s monthly wallet shuffles.
However, analysts warn that Ripple’s continued deviation from its predictable escrow structure may influence investor sentiment and on-chain trust metrics, especially if the company withholds its 1 billion XRP release much longer.
Bottom Line: Ripple’s June wallet activity marks a significant shift from its typical operational playbook. With over 630 million XRP already moved, including 470 million locked in escrow and 130 million routed externally, all eyes are on the potential timing and purpose of the delayed 1 billion XRP unlock.
Whether this signals a larger strategic overhaul or simply a scheduling deviation remains to be seen.
Also Read: Ripple Proposes XRP and RLUSD to Replace SWIFT for Cross-Border Payments in New Publication
