Ripple Set for Second 1 Billion XRP Release in 2026, February 1

TLDR

• Ripple will unlock 1 billion XRP from escrow on February 1, 2026, as part of its scheduled monthly release program.
• The company has been following a predictable release timetable since 2017 to manage XRP’s market supply and limit sudden shocks.
• After the January unlock, Ripple re-locked 60 to 80% of the released XRP back into escrow, reducing the amount circulating in the market.
• XRP’s price has been largely influenced by broader market trends, with price movements around unlock periods typically limited.
• Market analysts suggest XRP could see significant price action, with $2.70 as the next major target if current momentum continues.

Ripple is scheduled to unlock 1 billion XRP from escrow on February 1, 2026. This will be the second scheduled release under its monthly supply program for the year. The company introduced this framework in 2017 to maintain transparency and control potential market shocks.

XRP Release Continues With Predictable Schedule

The February unlock follows the 1 billion XRP released at the start of January. This move is part of Ripple’s ongoing monthly release cycle, which is designed to limit sudden increases in supply. Data shows Ripple often locks a large portion of the unlocked XRP back into escrow shortly after its release. An estimated 60 to 80% of the January release was re-locked, minimizing the impact on the market.

Ripple’s escrow strategy includes releasing a fixed amount of XRP each month, but only a small portion is retained for operational use. The rest is placed in new escrow contracts, pushing the release timeline further. This method helps constrain short-term supply growth and maintains market stability.

XRP Price Holds Steady Despite Unlocks

The predictable nature of Ripple’s escrow releases has not caused drastic price movements in the past. Price changes around unlock periods generally follow broader market trends and investor sentiment rather than the releases themselves. Currently, XRP price is trading at $1.98, down more than 4% over the past 24 hours.

On-chain analysis shows XRP is trading near a high-activity price zone, where both buying and selling have previously been strong. Market analyst Arthur suggests this area, known as the Point of Control (POC), indicates potential strength. The price is holding above this level, suggesting buyers are active and defending the zone.

Arthur: X

Recent trading patterns show that selling pressure is easing. Each downward move has seen smaller volume, indicating reduced participation from sellers. This often signals a potential shift in momentum as buying activity increases.

Targeting $2.70 as Next Price Level

Arthur also points out that if momentum continues to build, the next resistance target for XRP is $2.70. This level lies in a liquidity-rich zone above the current price, where resistance is lighter. Reaching $2.70 from the current $1.96 would require a gain of around 37.75%, a challenging yet achievable move.

XRP has faced resistance at the $2 level in recent months, pushing the price back down. However, if buyers continue to defend key support levels and volume remains strong, XRP could see a breakout in the near future. As of now, XRP is trading near $1.96, down 6% from the previous day.

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