Ripple Re-locks 700 Million XRP After Escrow Unlock

That pressure is showing up in the market. XRP was last around $1.40, little changed on the day, after gaining from recent lows but still trading well below its 50-day moving average of $1.19 and under the broader path that had previously pushed it above $1.40. The token’s recent recovery has come alongside heavy turnover and a broader rotation into products tied to XRP, including U.S. spot XRP ETFs that have outperformed the coin itself.

For investors, the re-lock is a sign Ripple is trying to manage perception as much as supply. A quick return of tokens to escrow can ease fears that newly unlocked XRP will hit the market immediately, but it does not remove the larger issue of how much of the asset remains concentrated under Ripple and early holders.

The timing also keeps regulatory risk in focus. Traders are looking ahead to the Sept. 15 Clarity Act vote, which could affect XRP’s legal status and, by extension, demand from institutions that have been cautious on token exposure. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has also leaned into a more constructive policy backdrop after a White House meeting on crypto, adding to hopes that the regulatory overhang may be easing.

For now, XRP looks caught between improving access through ETFs and persistent questions about supply management. The next catalyst is likely to be the Clarity Act vote and whether Ripple continues to re-lock a meaningful share of each escrow release.