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XRP: Why does the “Rich List” matter more than price?
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XRP: Why does the “Rich List” matter more than price?

While the XRP price appears indecisive, wallet distribution analysis unveils a market dynamic more intricate than meets the eye. The extreme token concentration among whales hints that the real signal lies not on the charts but in on-chain data.

Written by Simon Dumoulin

Translated on December 30, 2025 at 09:18 by Simon Dumoulin

"XRP coin purple blue on colorful blue background crypto"
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A Deceptive Price Action

For several weeks now, Ripple’s XRP has been trading in turbulent waters, alternating between breakout attempts and phases of sideways consolidation. For the average investor, attention remains focused on green and red candles, watching for an imminent bull run or a brutal correction. However, relying solely on the current price could constitute a major strategic mistake.

According to the latest on-chain data, XRP’s market structure is dominated by an often underestimated metric: the Rich List. This list, which ranks holders according to the quantity of tokens held, highlights a glaring disparity that directly influences the token’s liquidity and volatility.

Analysis of this distribution reveals that the majority of XRP addresses hold very limited amounts. A massive share of wallets contains less than 500 XRP, representing retail investors who, despite their numbers, have no significant impact on price formation.

Chart showing XRP holder distribution (Rich List), highlighting token concentration between whales and retail investors, according to CryptoQuant data.
Source: CryptoQuant

Whales, Liquidity, and Smart Money

On the opposite end, whales, institutional investors, and large holders control most of the circulating supply. They are the ones dictating major market directions: accumulation phases synonymous with stabilization or upward momentum, followed by distribution phases triggering selling pressure often impossible for small holders to absorb.

The Rich List thus shows that the price displayed on exchanges is secondary compared to actual liquidity and large wallet movements. As long as whales don’t sell massively, an artificial support floor remains in place. But such strong centralization carries major risks, notably the sudden breakdown of key technical support levels.

In conclusion, following Smart Money remains critical. As long as whales remain inactive, the market stays in a waiting phase. Savvy investors will prioritize monitoring exchange flows and on-chain data, rather than reacting to micro-variations in price. The next significant move will be initiated by those who hold the keys to the supply.

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Simon Dumoulin

Simon Dumoulin

Passionate about cryptocurrencies since 2019, I cover the latest news through clear and accessible articles. My goal is to make crypto understandable for everyone, with reliable and well-researched content.

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