Ripple Moves $2 Billion in XRP as Whale Sell-Off Raises Red Flags for Investors

Ripple Labs has once again triggered debate in the crypto community after shifting more than 700 million XRP—worth over $2 billion—on August 2, 2025. While these movements are part of Ripple’s recurring monthly escrow unlocks, the sheer scale of the transfers and the concurrent whale activity have sparked concerns about a potential sell-off.

As XRP slips below its critical $3 support, many investors are wondering: is Ripple’s latest escrow cycle fueling downward pressure on the token’s price?

Read Also: XRP to USD: Convert Ripple to US Dollar

Key Takeaways

• Ripple moved 700 million XRP on August 2 across three large escrow transactions totaling over $2 billion.
• 300 million XRP was retained from escrow, indicating possible future market distribution.
• Whale wallets reportedly offloaded more than 710 million XRP within 24 hours.
• XRP dropped below $2.80, falling 7% in a day and over 13% in a week.
• CEO Brad Garlinghouse allegedly sold $200 million worth of XRP near the recent peak.
• The SEC has postponed XRP ETF decisions until at least September 2025.

Ripple Escrow Movement: Routine or Red Flag?

Ripple’s on-chain behavior on August 2 followed its long-standing policy of unlocking 1 billion XRP at the beginning of each month. Of that amount, approximately 700 million XRP was re-locked into escrow in three separate transactions—100 million, 500 million, and 100 million XRP respectively—according to Whale Alert.

However, two additional transactions totaling 500 million XRP were moved from unidentified wallets to Ripple addresses, sparking speculation about internal repositioning for future utility or off-market distribution.

Historically, Ripple re-locks a large portion of the unlocked supply to manage circulation and reduce volatility. Yet the retained 300 million XRP remains available for market use, raising eyebrows among traders already cautious of dilution risks.

Read Also: How to Stake XRP (XRP)

Whale Activity Triggers Sell-Off Fears

The on-chain story doesn’t stop at Ripple’s escrow. Analyst Ali Martinez posted on X (formerly Twitter) that whale wallets dumped over 710 million XRP in just 24 hours, coinciding with Ripple’s escrow transactions. This has only deepened concerns about short-term market pressure.

Heavy whale sell-offs often precede large price corrections, and XRP’s 7% dip in 24 hours appears to follow this pattern. The token now trades at approximately $2.78, marking a notable drop from its recent $3.84 peak.

Brad Garlinghouse’s XRP Sales Return to Spotlight

Adding to the tension, reports have surfaced that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse sold roughly $200 million worth of XRP over the past 10 days, mirroring his previous controversial sales during the 2017–2020 SEC investigation period. These insider moves tend to dampen investor confidence, especially when paired with declining price action and market uncertainty.

Read Also: XRP (XRP) Price Today

ETF Delay Compounds Market Anxiety

While Ripple’s core supporters are still optimistic about long-term adoption, regulatory developments aren’t helping the short-term picture. The SEC recently delayed decisions on the Grayscale and Bitwise XRP ETF applications until at least September 2025.

ETF anticipation has historically served as a bullish narrative across the crypto space. But delays reduce speculative momentum and can trigger rotations into more active tokens.

Final Thoughts

Ripple’s latest XRP transfers, paired with increasing whale offloads and insider selling, have created a perfect storm of bearish sentiment. While these escrow releases are nothing new, the context surrounding them—especially with ETF delays and CEO-level sales—makes this month’s activity particularly sensitive.

Investors watching XRP should keep an eye on whether the $2.70 support zone holds and whether trading volumes increase as we head into September. For now, the trend suggests caution, particularly for those hoping for an immediate rebound.

Read Also: How to buy XRP (XRP)

FAQs

Why did Ripple move over $2 billion in XRP on August 2?

Ripple’s movement is part of its regular monthly 1 billion XRP escrow unlock, though only 700 million XRP was re-locked. The remaining 300 million may be used for future distribution.

Did whale activity affect the XRP price?

Yes. On-chain data shows that over 710 million XRP was offloaded by whales within 24 hours, contributing to the token’s 7% daily decline.

Is Ripple’s CEO selling XRP again?

Reports suggest Brad Garlinghouse sold around $200 million worth of XRP recently, which has revived concerns about executive-level token dumping.

What happened to the XRP ETF applications?

The SEC delayed decisions on both the Grayscale and Bitwise XRP ETF filings until at least September 2025, dampening hopes for near-term institutional inflows.

Will XRP’s price recover soon?

Recovery depends on market sentiment, regulatory clarity, and whale behavior. If support around $2.70–$2.80 holds, consolidation could follow. Otherwise, further downside is possible.