A prominent figure within the XRP community has sparked renewed discussion regarding the amount of XRP one should hold to realize substantial wealth from their investments. Bale, a well-known commentator on XRP, emphasized that “XRP is all about timing” and cautioned that investors with holdings as low as 100 XRP should not expect life-changing financial returns. According to him, serious gains are more likely to require thousands of tokens rather than minimal investments.
Bale’s views align with earlier sentiments expressed by another influential voice in the community, King Vale. Vale has previously asserted that holding at least 50,000 XRP should be considered the “minimum” threshold for serious long-term investors aiming to join the ranks of the wealthiest XRP holders.
Recent on-chain data supports Vale’s position, showing that the number of tokens needed to be part of the top 1% of XRP holders has decreased from 56,304 in January 2025 to around 51,000 by May. As of today, that requirement has fallen even further to approximately 50,011 tokens. However, while the number of tokens required to qualify for the elite holder status is diminishing, the increasing price of XRP simultaneously raises the financial threshold. For instance, in May, holding 50,000 XRP was priced at over $118,000, compared to about $25,000 in November 2024. Today, the same amount would cost around $150,000.
This scenario underscores the significance of timing in investment strategies. Investors who heeded Vale’s earlier advice have reportedly begun to see notable returns on their investments.
Contrasting with the accumulation-first mentality, community member Xena has criticized this prevailing narrative, suggesting it stems from “ego, not strategy.” She believes that financial literacy and disciplined money management should take precedence over arbitrary targets related to the size of one’s holdings. Xena posits that even large holders can encounter failure without a sound strategy, whereas smaller investors might find success by making smarter financial choices. She advocates for new investors to prioritize affordability and disciplined investing rather than feeling compelled to target large quantities of tokens.
Xena’s view hinges on the expectation that XRP will achieve much higher valuations in the future, making even modest holdings potentially lucrative. For example, if XRP were to reach $10 per token, someone holding 50,000 XRP would have $500,000, while a holder of just 100 XRP would see a mere $1,000. If XRP’s price were to soar to $20, then those with 50,000 tokens could become millionaires, whereas smaller holders might still be waiting for significant returns. The potential becomes even broader if XRP were to reach $1,000; even minimal holdings could yield substantial gains.
However, analysts like Bale and Vale suggest that the path to such high prices is fraught with uncertainty and may take a considerable amount of time, with estimates indicating it could take up to ten years for XRP to surpass $1,000. In the meantime, many in the community are optimistic about shorter-term price targets, estimating that values of $10 to $20 may be achievable soon—perhaps even within the current year. Consequently, Bale and Vale maintain that larger holdings and timely investments will be crucial for maximizing potential returns.
In conclusion, the ongoing discourse within the XRP community reflects a range of perspectives on investment strategies, wealth-building potential, and the importance of timing.
