XRP Millionaire Wallets Are Ramping up in 'Encouraging Sign': Santiment

Why It Matters

Growing whale activity suggests renewed confidence in XRP’s long‑term upside, while divergent analyst views highlight the asset’s sensitivity to regulatory and market dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• 42 new XRP millionaire wallets added since Jan 1
• XRP price down 4% YTD, still near $1.87
• Smart‑money accumulation up 11.55% over past month
• Analysts split: potential breakout vs regulatory risk
• Altcoin index shows Bitcoin dominance, market fear high

Pulse Analysis

The resurgence of XRP "millionaire" wallets is more than a headline; it signals that large‑scale investors are re‑entering the ledger after a six‑month lull. Whale accumulation has historically preceded sustained price appreciation in crypto markets, as institutional and high‑net‑worth participants tend to move in when they perceive undervaluation or upcoming catalysts. By adding 42 wallets holding at least one million tokens each, the total on‑chain concentration of XRP is climbing, providing a tangible metric of confidence that complements traditional volume and order‑book analysis.

At the same time, XRP’s price trajectory remains nuanced. While the token slipped 4% since the start of the year, it has posted a modest 1.27% gain over the past 30 days, and smart‑money addresses have boosted their holdings by over 11% in the same period. These mixed signals are reflected in broader market gauges: the Altcoin Season Index shows Bitcoin’s dominance at 31/100, and the Fear & Greed Index sits at a fearful 26, indicating investors are risk‑averse. Such conditions often create a fertile ground for breakout scenarios, especially if a key selling wall dissolves, as some traders predict.

Regulatory developments loom large over XRP’s near‑term outlook. The pending U.S. CLARITY Act could clarify the legal status of digital assets, potentially unlocking institutional capital. Conversely, any adverse legislative outcome may reignite volatility. Asset managers like 21Shares cite multi‑year compression cycles and growing regulatory clarity as tailwinds for price appreciation, while skeptics warn that narrative‑driven rallies are fragile. As the market watches both on‑chain whale behavior and policy signals, XRP stands at a crossroads where accumulation trends could translate into meaningful price movement, provided external risks remain contained.

XRP millionaire wallets are ramping up in 'encouraging sign': Santiment

By Cointelegraph · January 2026

The number of XRP wallets holding more than 1 million tokens has been gradually increasing since the start of the year and could bode well for the asset’s long‑term prospects, according to crypto analytics platform Santiment.

“XRP's price is down a modest ‑4 % since the start of 2026, but its amount of ‘millionaire’ wallets are rising for the first time since September,” Santiment said in a post on Wednesday.

Crypto traders often track large‑holder accumulation, using it as a signal for where the asset’s price could head in the future.

Santiment said that 42 more XRP wallets holding over 1 million tokens have “returned to the ledger” since Jan. 1.

The number of XRP “millionaire” wallets fell by 784 between October and December. Source: Santiment.

Santiment called this “an encouraging sign for the long term”. With XRP trading at $1.87 at the time of publication, 1 million tokens is roughly $1.87 million (according to CoinMarketCap).

Meanwhile, XRP accumulation by “smart‑money” traders—deemed the most successful traders in the industry by returns—has risen 11.55 % over the past 30 days (according to Nansen).

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Analysts split on XRP’s movement in the weeks ahead

Crypto trader CW said in an X post on Wednesday that XRP is likely “to break through the selling wall soon.”

XRP is up 1.27 % over the past 30 days. Source: CoinMarketCap.

“Net buying remains strong, and the trend is reversing,” CW added, arguing that if the sell wall is broken, the price could rise to $2.30.

At the same time, asset manager 21Shares noted that XRP’s pattern of multi‑year compression followed by “sharp uncoiling events,” combined with growing regulatory clarity and institutional support, could leave the network “primed for continued price appreciation.”

However, Swyftx lead analyst Pav Hundal cautioned that “further upside becomes too reliant on narrative.” He warned that XRP’s price could face near‑term pressure if there are “any unpleasant surprises” around the US CLARITY Act voting process.

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Market context

• The CoinMarketCap Altcoin Season Index currently shows a “Bitcoin score” of 31 / 100, indicating Bitcoin has been outperforming most of the top 100 altcoins over the past 90 days.

• The Crypto Fear & Greed Index posted a “Fear” score of 26 in its Thursday update, signaling that investors are taking a cautious approach to the crypto market.

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Related:

XRP price ‘liftoff’ to $10 may take time, traders say (Cointelegraph)

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