A surge in large XRP holdings has sparked renewed interest in the digital asset, while Ripple officially dismissed recent IPO speculation. Analysts now project a potential price rise to $8 based on increased accumulation and market momentum.
- 14 wallets hold over 100 million XRP each, signaling significant whale accumulation.
- XRP’s market cap reached $27.8 billion following a 17% price increase in one week.
- Ripple officially denied IPO rumors in a public statement dated January 7, 2026.
- Price rose to $5.40, its highest since October 2024, with technical indicators showing bullish signals.
- Analysts project a potential $8 price target by mid-2026 based on current momentum.
- Trading volume increased by 32% over the past month, reflecting heightened market interest.
Large XRP holders, commonly referred to as 'whales,' have significantly increased their positions over the past seven days, with holdings exceeding 100 million XRP recorded in 14 separate wallets. This accumulation coincides with a 17% rise in XRP’s market value over the same period, bringing its current valuation to approximately $27.8 billion. The uptick follows persistent market rumors about Ripple’s potential initial public offering, which the company has formally rejected through a public statement issued on January 7, 2026. Despite the denial, investor confidence remains elevated. The spike in whale activity suggests institutional or high-net-worth interest, potentially signaling anticipation of future regulatory clarity or broader market adoption. The XRP price has now traded above $5.40, the highest level since October 2024, as demand outpaces supply on major exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. Technical indicators show strong bullish momentum, with the 50-day moving average crossing above the 200-day average—a classic sign of a potential long-term uptrend. Market analysts at several independent research firms have upgraded their XRP price targets, citing the convergence of whale accumulation, reduced legal uncertainty, and growing integration into cross-border payment networks. One forecast model projects a path to $8 by mid-2026, assuming continued inflows and supportive regulatory developments in the U.S. and EU. The surge has also prompted increased trading volume, with daily turnover on major platforms rising by 32% compared to the previous month. The developments impact a range of stakeholders, including retail investors, exchanges, and payment infrastructure providers leveraging XRP. Ripple’s continued focus on enterprise solutions, such as its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, may further underpin demand. As price momentum builds, attention shifts to regulatory signals and network usage metrics as key drivers of future performance.