Ripple is preparing to unlock 1 billion XRP from its escrow wallets on February 1, 2026, marking another month in its long-standing schedule of token releases.
The escrow system releases up to 1 billion XRP at the start of each month, but only a small portion typically enters circulation, as Ripple often re-locks about 70–80% of the tokens shortly after release. This limits the net increase in supply, with the remaining XRP mainly used for liquidity services, partnerships, or institutional activity.
Throughout 2025, these large but predictable unlocks attracted attention, yet their impact on XRP prices was largely muted as the token traded in tandem with the broader cryptocurrency market.
Because the releases were expected and mostly priced in, prices often saw little immediate downside and, in some cases, even rose alongside broader market strength.
The subdued reaction reflects the regularity of the unlock schedule and the fact that most tokens are re-escrowed, keeping the effective supply increase far smaller than the headline 1 billion XRP figure.
Notably, the upcoming unlock will test how the market absorbs scheduled supply increases, with attention centered on the net addition to circulation and short-term price action rather than the headline figure.
If past patterns persist, the release may pass without sharp moves, highlighting how the escrow system’s predictability has softened its impact on XRP prices over time.
XRP price analysis
Indeed, this comes at a critical moment for the token as it continues to face renewed capital outflows amid a broader cryptocurrency market sell-off.
By press time, XRP was trading at $1.70, having plunged over 2% in the past 24 hours, while on the weekly timeline, the token is down over 11%.
Overall, XRP remains under clear technical pressure, with price trading well below both the 50-day SMA at $1.97 and the 200-day SMA at $2.47. This confirms a firmly bearish trend and signals that recent rebounds lack broader trend support.
Until XRP reclaims at least the 50-day SMA, upside moves are likely to face strong selling interest.
Meanwhile, the 14-day RSI at 34 sits near the lower end of neutral, indicating weak momentum without being deeply oversold. This suggests selling pressure is easing slightly, but not enough to signal a decisive reversal.
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