Ripple is set to release approximately 1 billion XRP tokens, valued at around $470 million, on July 1. This planned transaction is anticipated to exert downward pressure on XRP prices. Historical data indicates that Ripple has been unlocking 1 billion tokens monthly since 2017, carried out via its escrow treasury. The company’s practice of using specific addresses for these transactions is also noteworthy, as these wallets will retain locked tokens until January 2025.
Monthly XRP Unlocks and Market Impact
The upcoming release involves two separate unlocks: one from the ‘Ripple (24)’ escrow consisting of 100 million and 400 million tokens, and another 500 million tokens from ‘Ripple (25)’. This follows the June 1 unlock of 1 billion XRP from the same escrows. Ripple subsequently allocated 200 million tokens for operational purposes and locked the rest in an escrow set to open in September 2027. Additionally, 200 million XRP were set aside for sales, marking the largest monthly sale to date at 400 million tokens.
How Will XRP Prices React?
The influx of newly unlocked tokens has historically led to increased selling pressure on XRP. Analysis of past transactions reveals that only five out of fourteen sales in 2024 resulted in positive price movements. Specific dates of price increases include February 5, February 11, April 14, May 13, and May 20. The remaining sales days witnessed price declines, a trend underscored by a negative monthly outlook for XRP in four of the first six months of 2024. The June 1 unlock also caused a drop in XRP prices.
Key Insights for Investors
Investor Takeaways:
- Monitor upcoming token unlock dates for potential market impacts.
- Be cautious of increased selling pressure following large token releases.
- Assess historical performance to gauge possible price movements.
- Consider the significant allocations for operational continuity and sales by Ripple.
Currently, XRP is trading at $0.47, reflecting a 1.85% decrease. The market capitalization stands at $26.1 billion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $880 million.