Ripple has recently completed its February 2026 escrow unlock, releasing 1 billion XRP tokens from accounts established in 2022. This significant event represents approximately 1.66% of XRP’s circulating supply, with 300 million tokens designated for treasury operations. As of now, XRP is trading at $1.63, reflecting an 18% decline over the past month, amidst a broader downturn in the cryptocurrency market that has seen total outflows of around $1.7 billion.
The 1 billion XRP unlock, valued at roughly $1.63 billion, took place on February 2 as part of Ripple’s funding strategy. Of the total unlocked, 300 million XRP—equivalent to about half a billion dollars—has been set aside in the company’s main treasury account for sales planned for this month. This information was sourced through on-chain data obtained from Ripple-owned accounts, as analyzed by XRPScan.
The tokens released are derived from previously locked XRP, safeguarded in escrows that date back to the cryptocurrency’s initial minting and distribution. The February 2026 unlock is particularly notable, as it involved accounts labeled as Ripple (9) and Ripple (28), with four escrows reaching their maturity on February 1. Each of these accounts was responsible for unlocking 500 million XRP in total, comprised of smaller escrows containing 100 million and 400 million XRP tokens.
In a typical pattern, the Ripple (28) account redistributed 100 million XRP to Ripple (14) and 400 million XRP to Ripple (15). These tokens have been re-locked in new escrows set to unlock in December 2026. Simultaneously, the Ripple (9) account allocated 200 million XRP to Ripple (14) and transferred 300 million to Ripple (1), which functions as the company’s liquid treasury account, essential for various financial operations such as over-the-counter sales and exchange deposits.
Currently, XRP holds a market capitalization close to $100 billion, making it the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. With a circulating supply of 60 billion XRP, the recent unlock comprises a small fraction of the overall supply, while the reserved 300 million tokens account for 0.5% of the active supply.
As the market grapples with significant fluctuations, XRP’s recent price action appears to correlate with wider macroeconomic uncertainties affecting various cryptocurrencies. Data from CoinMarketCap indicates that XRP’s recent performance continues to underline a trend seen in the overall crypto market.
In addition to the escrow activities, Ripple is making strides in compliance and regulatory frameworks. Recently, the company secured a full Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg’s CSSF, which represents a significant advancement in its operational capabilities.
This series of events encapsulates Ripple’s ongoing engagement with market dynamics and regulatory environments, amidst fluctuating cryptocurrency valuations and broader economic pressures.
