XRP Surpasses $1.60 Amid Record Whale Transactions
Whale activity and new wallets signal heightened interest in XRP.
1XRP Hits $1.60 Milestone
XRP crossed the $1.60 mark for the first time since February 4, 2026, signaling a significant price surge. This milestone was accompanied by heightened activity in the XRP Ledger, with blockchain analytics firm Santiment reporting 1,917 large transactions worth at least $100,000 each. The price movement reflects renewed interest in the cryptocurrency, though it remains unclear whether these transactions represent buying or selling activity.
2Record Whale Transactions
Santiment recorded 1,917 large XRP transactions during the price surge, marking the highest count in roughly a month. These transactions, each valued at $100,000 or more, highlight the involvement of whale investors. While the exact motives behind these transfers are unknown, they underscore the increased activity among large holders as XRP broke through a key resistance level.
3New Wallets Signal Growth
The XRP Ledger added 3,647 new wallets during the surge, indicating network expansion. Wallet creation can stem from various factors, including new users, exchange operations, or existing holders diversifying their funds. While the identities behind these addresses remain unresolved, the rise in wallet numbers points to broader participation in the XRP ecosystem.
4South Korean Exchange Activity
Trading on South Korea’s Upbit exchange was unusually active before the breakout, with XRP generating $350 million in trading volume on September 21. This exceeded Bitcoin’s $225.8 million volume on the same exchange. The heightened activity on Upbit highlights regional interest in XRP, though it does not distinguish between buying and selling activity.
5RLUSD Stablecoin Balances
Santiment noted that the XRP Ledger holds approximately $1.05 billion in RLUSD stablecoin, compared to $1.37 billion on Ethereum. This distribution reflects the portion of RLUSD held on the XRP network as of September 14. The stablecoin’s presence on the ledger provides a measure of its role in facilitating transactions and supporting ecosystem activity.
6XRP ETFs Gain Momentum
U.S. investors can access several XRP ETFs, including offerings from Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale. Bitwise filed an amendment to its XRP ETF registration statement with the SEC on September 18, updating its fund documents. Demand for these ETFs remained strong, with $9.56 million in net inflows recorded in the five sessions ending September 18.
7Evernorth’s $30 Million Note
Evernorth agreed to issue a $30 million convertible note to fund XRP purchases and broader ecosystem activity. This financing move highlights institutional interest in supporting the XRP network. While details of the note’s terms remain undisclosed, it underscores the growing financial backing for XRP-related initiatives.
8Market Measures Converge
The simultaneous rise in XRP’s price, trading volume, and blockchain activity makes this session notable. Price reflects where XRP changed hands, volume counts exchange activity, and blockchain data records transfers and addresses. Together, these measures paint a comprehensive picture of market dynamics, though they do not reveal the net position of large holders.
Original article: Bitcoin News — XRP Surpasses $1.60 Amid Record Whale Transactions