Ripple is preparing to release 1 billion XRP from escrow on January 1, 2026, as part of a regular schedule established since 2017. This mechanism includes the automatic release of 1 billion XRP.
This figure attracts attention due to its size, but historically these releases have These do not imply that all tokens will be distributed in the market. In practice, Ripple typically relocks 60% to 80% of released XRP into new escrow contracts, limiting direct impact on circulating supply.
This pattern has continued in recent months. During the December 2025 unlock, nearly 1 billion XRP was released, but approximately 70% was re-locked and only a fraction was made available for potential operational or liquidity uses. This backdrop strengthens expectations that January’s events will follow a similar dynamic.
According to XRP Scan data, at the time of writing, approximately 34.4 million XRP are locked in Ripple escrow and approximately 65.5 million tokens are in circulation.
The market is monitoring Ripple’s movements
Still, the market continues to pay attention. at current price, flat A small portion of 1 billion XRP represents significant valuewhich explains why operators and analysts are closely monitoring chain activity in the days following the unlock.
In particular, large transfers that may indicate movement to exchanges are monitored. This is because market interest in these unlocks will increase if a significant portion of the released XRP is sold. This could put downward pressure on prices.
This concern is about the potential for retailers to be affected by a large number of items in the hands of a single attacker, as reported by CriptoNoticias.
XRP Sensitive and Volatile Context
Market conditions increase the confidentiality of the event. XRP unlocks this through its strict technical structure. As of this writing, XRP price is around $1.84-$1.85 compared to the last drop last week. It reached $1.7.
The inability to break through these resistances, even if it is a known and recurring mechanism, has increased vigilance among traders against the possibility of additional supply pressure.
Looking ahead to 2026, experience suggests that XRP price movements tend to be more in line with overall market sentiment than the monthly unlocks themselves. therefore, Market attention will be focused on how much XRP will actually be in circulation and the macroeconomic and sectoral conditions that will impact the start of the new year.
