In June 2025, XRP is making waves as whale wallets holding over 1 million tokens hit a 12-year high of 2,708, reflecting unprecedented investor confidence. With daily active addresses surging sevenfold and institutional adoption accelerating, is XRP poised for a breakout? Explore the drivers behind this whale accumulation, its impact on XRP’s price, and what it means for investors.

The cryptocurrency market, valued at $3.28 trillion, is navigating a dynamic June 2025, and Ripple’s XRP is stealing the spotlight. On-chain data reveals a remarkable surge in whale activity, with wallets holding at least 1 million XRP worth approximately $2.25 million each reaching an all-time high of 2,708, the highest in XRP’s 12-year history. Concurrently, daily active addresses on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) have skyrocketed to 295,000, nearly seven times the three-month average of 35,000–40,000, signaling robust network usage and investor interest. This whale wallet surge, coupled with institutional momentum and regulatory optimism, underscores XRP’s growing prominence. This article delves into the reasons behind the whale accumulation, its implications for XRP’s price, and the broader ecosystem developments fueling investor enthusiasm.

Whale Wallet Surge: A Sign of Big-Money Confidence

Record-Breaking Whale Holdings:

According to Santiment, the number of XRP whale wallets (holding 1 million+ XRP) has climbed to 2,708 in June 2025, surpassing previous peaks and marking a 12-year high. Each wallet holds roughly $2.25 million at current prices, reflecting significant capital commitment from high-net-worth individuals and institutions. Posts on X, such as those from @coinbureau , highlight this milestone as evidence that “XRP isn’t sleeping. It’s loading.” This surge follows a steady accumulation trend, with whales adding 3.44 billion XRP ($8.16 billion) to their holdings over the past two years, an 8.16% increase.

Why Whales Are Accumulating:

Whales are betting on XRP’s long-term potential, driven by Ripple’s strategic advancements and favorable market conditions. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s prediction at the 2025 XRPL Apex event that XRP could capture 14% of SWIFT’s $4 trillion daily cross-border payment volume within five years has bolstered confidence. The XRP Ledger’s speed (1,500 transactions per second) and low-cost transactions (fractions of a cent) make it a compelling alternative to traditional systems, attracting large investors. Additionally, easing geopolitical tensions, such as reduced Israel-Iran conflict concerns, have driven demand for risk-on assets like XRP.

On-Chain Activity Boom:

The XRPL’s daily active addresses have surged to 295,000, a sevenfold increase from the 35,000–40,000 average, indicating heightened retail and institutional engagement. This spike reflects growing use cases, from cross-border payments to tokenized assets, reinforcing XRP’s utility and driving whale interest. Large transactions ($100,000+) have also risen, with $11.8 million in net inflows to XRP investment products last week, ending a three-week outflow streak.

Institutional Momentum: ETFs and Partnerships

XRP ETF and Futures Launch:

Institutional interest is accelerating, with Canada set to launch its first XRP ETF, managed by Purpose Investments, on June 18, 2025. In the U.S., nine firms, including Franklin Templeton, have filed for spot XRP ETFs, with a key SEC decision expected by June 17, 2025. The CME’s launch of XRP futures in 2025 further signals institutional readiness, as noted by Sygnum’s Fabian Dori: “XRP futures and potential ETF approvals indicate institutional willingness to move further out on the risk curve.” An ETF approval could drive XRP to $20–$27, as speculated on X, significantly boosting its market cap from $100 billion.

Strategic Partnerships:

Ripple’s collaborations with traditional finance giants are enhancing XRP’s legitimacy. Guggenheim’s launch of digital commercial paper on XRPL, Ondo Finance’s tokenized U.S. securities, and Circle’s integration of USDC on the XRP Ledger are expanding its utility. Charles Hoskinson’s announcement that Cardano’s Lace wallet will support XRP and explore RLUSD stablecoin-based DeFi solutions underscores cross-chain interoperability, potentially unlocking new liquidity pools. These partnerships align with Ripple’s vision of capturing a significant share of global payment flows.

Regulatory Optimism:

The SEC vs. Ripple case is nearing resolution, with a joint motion filed on June 12, 2025, to dissolve the injunction on institutional sales and settle the $125 million penalty. A favorable ruling, expected within weeks, could eliminate legal overhang, reinforcing the 2023 ruling that programmatic XRP sales are not securities. Pro-crypto lawyer Fred Rispoli predicts a decision by late June, potentially clearing the path for ETF approvals and institutional adoption.

Price Outlook: Bullish Signals and Risks

Current Price and Technicals:

XRP trades at $2.20, down 2% daily, with resistance at $2.50–$2.60 and support at $2.13–$2.17. A symmetrical triangle pattern since 2013, noted by analyst Crypto Beast, suggests a breakout above $2.60 could target $3.37–$8, with long-term potential for $19–$45. The RSI at 49.60 is neutral, and a bullish MACD crossover hints at upside potential. Whale activity, with 2.66 billion XRP moved to Binance in recent months, has historically preceded corrections, but current buying trends suggest accumulation.

Bullish Catalysts:

ETF Approval: A U.S. XRP ETF could drive prices to $20–$27, mirroring Bitcoin’s ETF-fueled rally to $107,000.

SWIFT Market Share: Capturing 14% of SWIFT’s liquidity could push XRP toward $10–$15 by 2030, per Garlinghouse’s vision.

Network Growth: Rising active addresses and institutional partnerships signal sustained demand, supporting a rally to $3.50–$8 in 2025.

Bearish Risks:

DeFi Limitations: XRPL’s total value locked (TVL) remains low at $60 million, with daily DEX volume below $100,000, limiting DeFi appeal.

Escrow Unlocks: Monthly releases of 1 billion XRP (800 million re-escrowed) could create selling pressure, capping gains.

Market Volatility: A broader market correction, tied to geopolitical or macroeconomic factors, could push XRP below $2.13, testing $1.78 support.

Ecosystem Developments: Beyond Payments

Tokenization and DeFi:

The XRP Ledger is evolving beyond payments, with projects like the Dubai Land Department’s real estate tokenization and VivoPower’s $100 million XRP deployment on Flare’s blockchain. Ondo Finance’s tokenized securities and Circle’s USDC integration enhance XRPL’s appeal for institutional-grade assets. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, approved by the NYDFS, is gaining traction, further boosting liquidity.

Technical Upgrades:

Ripple’s CTO has proposed a new fee structure to improve XRPL’s scalability, aiming to compete with Ethereum’s throughput and costs. Proposed bridges between Ethereum and XRPL could enhance interoperability, potentially increasing TVL and DEX volume. These upgrades position XRP for broader adoption in DeFi and tokenized finance.

Conclusion: XRP’s Whale-Driven Momentum

The surge in XRP whale wallets to a record 2,708 in June 2025, alongside a sevenfold increase in daily active addresses, signals unprecedented investor confidence. Institutional momentum, from Canada’s XRP ETF launch to partnerships with Guggenheim and Circle, underscores XRP’s growing role in global finance. With a potential SEC settlement and U.S. ETF approvals on the horizon, XRP is poised for a breakout, targeting $3.50–$8 in 2025 and potentially $19–$76 by 2030. Investors should monitor the $2.50 resistance, $2.13 support, and platforms like Binance for on-chain insights, while remaining cautious of escrow unlocks and market volatility. As Ripple aims to capture SWIFT’s liquidity, XRP’s whale-driven surge marks a pivotal moment for its journey toward mainstream adoption.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments carry a high level of risk and volatility. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and consult a professional financial advisor before making any investment decisions.