XRP News Today: XRP Holds Strong Above $2.20 as Ripple Unleashes 500M Tokens in July Move

XRP is showing remarkable resilience above the key $2.20 mark, keeping its bullish momentum alive even as Ripple shakes up expectations with a surprising two-part escrow release of 500 million XRP.

This calculated shift in strategy comes at a time when multiple developments could shape the future of XRP price, utility, and adoption.

Ripple Executes Unexpected Escrow Strategy

Ripple Labs caught the market off guard on July 4 with the release of 500 million XRP, just days after its standard July 1 unlock of the same amount. Rather than sticking to its typical pattern of releasing 1 billion XRP in one go, Ripple opted for a staggered release—signaling a move toward more responsive and demand-based token management.

500 million XRP, worth approximately $1.12 billion, has been unlocked from escrow to an unidentified wallet. Source: Whale Alert via X

Blockchain tracking platforms like Whale Alert confirmed the second transfer, with XRP wallets verifying that the full July escrow cycle had been completed. Out of the total 1 billion XRP unlocked, 700 million were relocked, while the remaining 300 million XRP was directed toward initiatives such as on-demand liquidity (ODL), exchange-traded products, and ecosystem infrastructure.

Currently, Ripple holds around 36.4 billion XRP in escrow, alongside approximately 5 billion XRP in liquid reserves. This newly measured release strategy is not just a change in process—it’s a step toward better aligning XRP supply with actual ecosystem demand, a move that could help maintain XRP prices and appeal to institutional players watching Ripple’s next moves.

XRP Price Holds Key Support Zone

Even with the surprise unlocks, the XRP price today continues to hold firm. As of now, XRP/USD is trading just above $2.22, finding strong support along an upward trendline and the 100-hour Simple Moving Average. Traders believe this could lead to further gains if the support near $2.21 remains intact.

XRP appears to be forming a lower-degree Wave 1/2 after reacting well to the 0.618 Fibonacci level, though corrective price action suggests Wave 2 may still be unfolding within a complex pattern. Source: UnbieX on TradingView

XRP recently reached a high of $2.31, reflecting renewed bullish momentum. That said, it’s currently undergoing a slight pullback. Key resistance levels to monitor include $2.30, $2.32, and the psychological barrier around $2.50, which may be tested if buying volume picks up.

From a technical perspective, signals are mixed. The RSI has dropped slightly below 50, hinting at cooling momentum, while the MACD shows mild bearish tendencies. Despite this, many market watchers remain cautiously optimistic, especially as institutional interest in XRP coin continues to grow.

Institutional Interest and Legal Progress Fuel Optimism

Large holders—often referred to as “whales”—have been steadily increasing their XRP positions. While new wallet creation has stayed relatively flat, existing investors seem to be doubling down on their holdings, which signals growing confidence in XRP prediction and long-term potential.

Ripple has applied for a national bank charter from the OCC, aiming to operate under both state and federal oversight to strengthen trust in the stablecoin market. Source: Brad Garlinghouse via X

Ripple’s recent application for a U.S. banking license is turning heads in the financial world. If granted, this would allow Ripple to operate within the traditional banking system, eliminating intermediaries and enhancing its ability to process cross-border payments directly using XRP. It could also further embed XRP crypto into global financial infrastructure.

Meanwhile, progress in the ongoing Ripple vs. SEC case is giving the community new hope. Ripple’s withdrawal of its cross-appeal suggests that a final settlement could be on the horizon. If the case ends favorably, XRP price prediction 2025 could see a substantial boost, as clarity may lead to more U.S. exchange listings and regulatory green lights.

Evolving Utility and XRP Ledger Upgrades

Ripple has been ramping up its technology stack, too. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) now supports Ethereum-compatible smart contracts through a new sidechain. This opens up a wide array of use cases, including DeFi, NFTs, and tokenized assets, making XRP coin more versatile and valuable in developer circles.

In parallel, Ripple is pushing forward with its RLUSD stablecoin, which has now grown beyond $470 million in assets. The company’s plan to utilize this stablecoin with traditional finance could spur additional demand for XRP as a bridge of settlement between various finance products.

XRP Price Prediction: What’s Next?

The future of XRP prices is promising as well as uncertain. If the cryptocurrency can maintain its support level around $2.20 and break through resistance levels in the zone of $2.30–$2.32, analysts predict a trend towards $2.50 in the short term.

XRP is showing strong breakout potential, forming an inverse head and shoulders pattern on the daily chart with key targets identified. Source: Juan-Wick on TradingView

Taking a still longer perspective, XRP price forecast 2025 predictions are all over the map. On the conservative side, they place it between $2.70 and $3.50, while more ambitious predictions see $6.50 or more, especially if legal clarity, institutional adoption, and ETF approval materialize. Some XRP price forecast 2030 predictions go this far, suggesting XRP could realistically hit $8 or more—assuming market conditions and adoption continue in Ripple’s favor.

Final Thoughts

Ripple’s strategic shift in token management, legal foundation, and pursuit of formal banking status all indicate an intent project. XRP news today is a tale of a cryptocurrency asset traversing those critical turning points with stealthy intent.

XRP was trading at around $2.22, up 0.09% in the last 24 hours at press time. Source: XRP Liquid Index (XRPLX) via Brave New Coin

For short-term monitored traders or long-term-minded investors, a nagging question echoes across markets: Is XRP headed higher—and when?

For now, XRP holds steady above $2.20, patiently waiting for the next breakout catalyst.