XRP Whale Accumulation Spikes as Millionaire Wallets Hit Four-Month High

XRP has started the year under price pressure, but on-chain data and ETF flows point to growing confidence among large holders. The token trades near $1.88, down about 4% month-to-date, yet key accumulation metrics have turned positive for the first time in months.

According to Santiment, the number of wallets holding at least 1 million XRP has risen again after a prolonged decline, signaling renewed interest from high-value investors despite weak short-term price action.

Whale Wallets Return as Price Stays Under Pressure

Santiment data shows that 42 new “millionaire” wallets emerged this month, lifting the total count to 2,016. This marks the first increase since September 2025 and ends four consecutive months of declines.

Notably, XRP serves as the payments-focused cryptocurrency used by Ripple to facilitate cross-border transactions, and whale activity often acts as a barometer for longer-term conviction.

“A net of +42 wallets with at least 1M XRP have returned to the ledger, an encouraging sign for the long-term,” Santiment said in a post on X.

Despite this shift, XRP’s price trend remains fragile. The token has failed to reclaim its 50-day moving average, with multiple rallies stalling near the $2 level.

Moreover, according to CoinGecko data, XRP last traded down 1.7% on the day, reinforcing the disconnect between on-chain accumulation and market price. This pattern suggests that larger holders may be positioning gradually rather than chasing momentum.

ETF Inflows Support XRP as Bitcoin Sees Outflows

ETF flows add another layer to XRP’s improving fundamentals. U.S.-listed spot XRP ETFs recorded net inflows of $91.72 million this month, according to SoSoValue. These funds attracted $666 million in November and $499 million in December, showing steady institutional demand heading into the new year.

This strength stands in sharp contrast to bitcoin ETFs. Bitcoin-linked funds have seen $278 million in redemptions this month, following more than $4 billion in outflows during the final two months of 2025. The divergence highlights a rotation in investor attention rather than broad-based crypto enthusiasm.

Rising whale balances alongside consistent ETF inflows, while prices drift lower, point to quiet accumulation rather than speculative excess. In past cycles, similar conditions in XRP have led to extended consolidation before stronger directional moves, though timing varied widely.

For now, XRP sits between improving long-term positioning and near-term caution. Without renewed momentum across the broader crypto market, especially in bitcoin and ether, the token may struggle to turn strengthening fundamentals into a sustained rally.