The first Ripple escrow unlock of 2026 saw the release of 1 billion tokens, but the transaction comes with a controversial year-end message.
Although 2025 ended with a bearish price trend for XRP, remarkable growth Regarding the implementation of the system, the new year 2026 seems to have started with controversy within the XRP community.
Ripple Escrow releases 1 billion XRP in January 2026
Notably, XRP community members welcomed the new year with Ripple’s first escrow unlock, releasing 1 billion XRP. value $1.84 billion at the time of writing across Three unequal trades. Interestingly, all three transactions occurred at approximately the same time, late today, just a few seconds apart.
Specifically, one escrow transaction released 300 million XRP tokens worth $552 million will be sent to Ripple (28) wallets. In additionsecond transaction unlocked 200 million XRP tokens worth $368 million were put into Ripple (28). Overall, the address received 500 million XRP tokens worth $920 million.
Meanwhile, around the same time, a third transaction released 500 million XRP to Ripple (9) wallet. Cumulatively, both addresses received 1 billion XRP (equivalent to $1.84 billion) from escrow. This is in line with the typical Ripple escrow release schedule.
At the time of writing, neither of the two wallets has moved any tokens., each is holding 1 billion XRP, while holding 500 million XRP previously unlocked. Also, Ripple Token relocked into escrow.
Controversial year-end message
But it was a memo spanning three transactions that caught the attention of XRP supporters and the broader crypto community. Specifically, during the January 2026 XRP escrow unlock, the individuals who initiated the release posted messages intended to mislead readers into thinking they were coming directly from Ripple.
In the post, the person claimed that Ripple enjoyed a strong 2025 by selling large amounts of XRP, totaling more than $8 billion, to fund multiple acquisitions. This message further continues as Ripple expands its business and pursues further profitable acquisitions. Growth of RLUSD.
Controversial EOY memo from Ripple Escrow Unlock
This person presented these claims as a sarcastic thank-you message to long-term XRP holders, implying that their continued support made Ripple’s strategy possible and benefited Ripple shareholders.
However, it is important to note that the message does not originate from Ripple itself. Instead, the author attempted to take advantage of the fact that many market participants are unaware that Ripple does not control the escrow release trigger to impersonate Ripple, Inc., and use it to mock the familiar “know what you have” slogan often used within Ripple. XRP community.
Since 2017, Ripple wallets have been designated recipients of escrow unlocks. Release can be initiated by any party When the scheduled time arrives. Furthermore, the wallet initiating the release has full discretion to attach transaction notes of its choice.
