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On-chain analysis shows that Ripple Labs and its executives have sold or distributed roughly 58.515 billion XRP since the token’s 2012 launch. That figure is derived by comparing the original 100 billion XRP allocation with current wallet balances attributed to Ripple and its founders. The movement of these tokens has taken place alongside product development, market cycles, and high-profile regulatory scrutiny.
Original supply and allocations
XRP was created in 2012 with a fixed supply of 100 billion tokens on the XRP Ledger. Historical records indicate 80 billion XRP were transferred to the company that became Ripple Labs and 20 billion were allocated to founders and early contributors, including Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto, and David Schwartz.
Current on-chain holdings
Current data suggests Ripple’s executives and Ripple Labs collectively control about 41.485 billion XRP. On-chain breakdown shows Ripple retains roughly 37.685 billion XRP, split into 3.5 billion XRP in accessible wallets and 34.185 billion XRP still locked in escrow.
Executive wallets
Tracking of founder and executive wallets highlights notable balances:
- Chris Larsen, Ripple’s chairman, controls approximately 2.5 billion XRP across eight wallets.
- Arthur Britto holds about 1.3 billion XRP across seven wallets.
- David Schwartz, a co-founder, has historically held a much smaller amount, with peak reported holdings near 26 million XRP.
Escrow mechanics and circulation
In 2017 Ripple implemented an escrow mechanism that initially locked 55 billion XRP and permitted up to 1 billion XRP to be released per month. Unused portions were returned to escrow. As of 2025 disclosures, about 34.185 billion XRP remain locked under this system. The difference between the original allocation and current holdings — roughly 58.515 billion XRP — reflects tokens sold, distributed to partners, used for ecosystem incentives, or otherwise introduced into circulation over the past 13 years.
Price history and market context
XRP’s earliest recorded market price dates to August 2013. Since then the token has appreciated at various times, even as billions of XRP entered the market. Ripple’s distribution strategy, escrow policy, and token releases have been factors considered by traders and institutional investors when assessing XRP’s market dynamics and potential supply pressure.
Regulatory and technical context
Ripple’s distributions unfolded amid ongoing litigation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over XRP’s classification. Technically, XRP differs from proof-of-work tokens like Bitcoin: it has no mining, no staking rewards, and no inflationary issuance. The XRP Ledger uses a consensus protocol for transaction validation, which shapes token supply behavior and network economics.
What this means for holders
For crypto investors and XRP holders, the long-term implications depend on how Ripple manages escrow releases, regulatory outcomes, and ecosystem development. On-chain transparency gives market participants clear visibility into large wallet movements, but price impact depends on distribution timing, buyer demand, and broader crypto market cycles.
Source: crypto
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