Ripple Co-founder Moves $140M in XRP after All-Time High, How?

The recent movement of $140 million in XRP by Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen has reignited concerns about insider influence over the token’s market performance. 

This massive transaction occurred just days after XRP reached its July 17 all-time high of $3.65. The sell-off triggered sharp volatility and a drop of over 11% in XRP’s price, drawing close scrutiny from both analysts and the XRP community.

Key Highlights: Ripple Co-Founder’s XRP Movement

• Ripple co-founder XRP move involved the transfer of 50 million XRP across multiple addresses.

• Blockchain analyst ZachXBT revealed that $140 million worth of XRP eventually reached centralized platforms or off-ramp services.

• On-chain metrics from CryptoQuant confirmed a sharp spike in wallet activity between July 17–24, directly correlating with XRP's peak and subsequent correction.

• The co-founder’s wallet balance plunged during this period, mirroring historical patterns from the 2017–2018 bull cycle.

READ ALSO: Ripple News Today After XRP Hits New All Time High: What's Next?

XRP Price Movement and Market Analysis

XRP dropped from $3.65 to under $3.25, a decline of more than 11%, before staging a modest recovery.

Historical comparisons show similar founder activity during previous market tops, suggesting calculated profit-taking behavior. Despite the dip, XRP remains one of the top-performing large-cap cryptocurrencies in Q3.

Ripple XRP Holdings and Supply Concerns

On-chain data shows Larsen-linked wallets still hold 2.81 billion XRP, valued at approximately $8.4 billion.

These holdings create a structural supply overhang, especially if more sales occur publicly.

Analysts suggest that routing future transactions through OTC or institutional channels could reduce market shock.

XRP Transfer News Triggers Community Reactions

The timing of the transfers, shortly after XRP’s all-time high, hints at a deliberate exit strategy.

A 2012 agreement among Ripple founders—Larsen, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto—has resurfaced, confirming early centralized XRP allocations.

Britto received 2% of all XRP and rights to develop on the Ripple protocol indefinitely, highlighting long-standing insider dominance.

Comparing to Past Market Cycles

Similar wallet outflows were observed during XRP’s historic peak in 2018, reinforcing fears of insider-triggered price corrections.

This time, the ripple co-founder crypto transaction again appears to align with a local price top, reigniting criticism over early token concentration.

READ ALSO: Ripple News: XRP Market Share Set to Double with ETF Growth & Adoption

Conclusion

Chris Larsen’s $140M XRP transfer has become a flashpoint for renewed debate about Ripple’s internal token economics and founder influence. 

While the short-term price movement reflected classic sell-off behavior, XRP's broader trend remains intact. 

Going forward, the token’s performance may depend on how transparently these massive holdings are managed—and whether future transactions avoid disrupting open markets.

FAQ

What triggered the XRP price drop in July 2025?

The transfer of 50 million XRP by Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, worth around $140M, coincided with a sharp drop in XRP price from its recent high.

How much XRP does Chris Larsen still hold?

Larsen-linked wallets still control over 2.81 billion XRP, valued at around $8.4 billion.

Why is the 2012 Ripple founder agreement relevant now?

It resurfaced recently and revealed details about early XRP allocations, reinforcing concerns about insider control.

Is this similar to XRP's 2018 price pattern?

Yes, large outflows from founder wallets also occurred near XRP’s 2018 peak, suggesting a repeat of market behavior.

Will future XRP sales affect the market again?

Potentially, unless conducted through OTC or institutional routes, such transfers could impact price due to large volume and visibility.