Ripple Quietly Shifts 15M XRP Post-SEC Win: Whales React as Price Slips

[Ben Graham]

Ripple has once again caught headlines after quietly transferring 15 million XRP tokens just hours after securing a legal win against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The transaction, recorded on Ledger #98,741,614, carried a negligible fee of 0.000015 XRP, showcasing the network’s efficiency.

While Ripple has not provided an official statement, analysts suggest the move could be tied to liquidity preparation for exchanges, settlement mechanisms, or the expansion of Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) corridors.

The timing, so close to its courtroom victory, has fueled speculation that Ripple is positioning itself for a new phase of institutional adoption.

Whales Watch Closely as XRP Price Slips

Despite the optimism around Ripple’s legal clarity, XRP has not been immune to market pressure. Currently, XRP trades at $2.96, down 1.67% in the past 24 hours, with daily trading volume falling over 26% to $4.94 billion. Analysts warn that this decline in both price and volume could signal waning short-term momentum.

Chart data highlights a critical battleground for XRP between $0.65–$0.68 resistance levels and support zones at $0.60 and $0.55. A decisive breakout above $0.70 could push XRP toward $0.80, while failure to hold support risks deeper corrections.

Notably, whale activity and institutional interest continue to build, with XRP futures open interest surging to $7.94 billion, underscoring expectations of heightened volatility.

ETFs, RLUSD, and the Bigger Picture

Crypto analyst Zach Rector recently highlighted that Ripple’s restructuring of institutional XRP sales during its SEC case could shape the framework for potential XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

With ETF issuers unable to source XRP directly from Ripple, centralized exchanges and OTC desks may become the main supply channels, creating added pressure on secondary market liquidity.

Meanwhile, the adoption of Ripple USD (RLUSD) in Japan, facilitated through a partnership with SBI Group, has strengthened XRP’s fundamentals. RLUSD requires XRP for transaction fees, further boosting on-chain demand.

Whale accumulation and growing institutional exposure through platforms like the CME also support a more bullish long-term outlook.

As the dust settles on Ripple’s regulatory battle, the company’s swift 15M XRP transfer signals it is wasting no time preparing for its next chapter. Whether tied to ETF readiness, liquidity expansion, or cross-border growth, one thing is clear: the market is watching closely.

Cover image from ChatGPT, XRPUSD chart from Tradingview