Whale Watching: XRP Ledger Lights Up With Six-Figure Transfers

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

XRP whale transactions surged to a three-month high..
Six-figure transfers signal major holder repositioning.
Higher volatility risk is rising for XRP.

XRP’s on-chain activity just sent a clear signal: the whales are moving again.

According to data shared by blockchain and cryptocurrency monitoring platform Santiment in an X post on January 7, the XRP Ledger recorded a sharp jump in large transactions this week, with whale transfers, defined as movements worth $100,000 or more, surging to a three-month high.

XRP Whale Activity Hits A New Local Peak

On January 5, the network logged 2,170 large XRP transactions. By January 6, that number jumped to 2,802, marking the highest daily count in three months.

This kind of spike suggests that high-value holders are actively repositioning, whether for accumulation, distribution, or strategic rebalancing ahead of a potential market move.

🐳 XRP Ledger has seen a major increase in whale transactions (moved valued at $100K or more on the network). Monday saw 2,170 of them, and yesterday shot all the way up to 2,802 (a 3-month high).

🔗 Volatility should be higher than usual. Follow along: https://t.co/6vgr6o1T6F pic.twitter.com/sgSIeLhzvu

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 7, 2026

Why Whale Transactions Matter For XRP

Large on-chain transfers don’t guarantee immediate price direction, but they often precede volatility. When whale activity accelerates, liquidity conditions tend to shift, short-term price swings become more likely, and traders brace for faster, sharper moves.

Historically, clusters of high-value XRP transactions have aligned with periods of elevated volatility, as large holders adjust exposure around key price levels or broader market catalysts.

Santiment notes that volatility should be higher than usual following this surge in whale transfers. While the data doesn’t indicate whether whales are buying or selling outright, the intensity of activity alone signals that the market is entering a more reactive phase.

The Bottom Line

With XRP whale transactions spiking to a three-month high, the network is flashing a familiar signal that big players are active, and volatility risk is rising. For traders and investors alike, this is a reminder to expect faster moves, tighter ranges breaking, and sharper reactions as XRP enters a more dynamic stretch.

Currently, XRP is changing hands at the price of $2.08, down 7.63% on the day, up 12.42% across the week, and gaining 0.28% on its monthly chart, according to the most recent information at the time of publication.