XRP whale dominance grows as liquid supply shrinks and retail entry costs surge

XRP's price has dropped from about $3.66 to near $1.85, while exchange inflows to platforms like Binance have risen, signaling heavier sell pressure even as total exchange balances fall toward 1.5 billion XRP. More than 6 million wallets reportedly hold 500 XRP or fewer, large holders and locked or escrowed tokens dominate the effective float, and buying 1,000 XRP now costs around $1,750 versus roughly $500 a little over a year ago. With much of the supply illiquid and many retail traders priced out, even a modest return of demand could quickly tighten the market and amplify price swings.