Ripple is scheduled to release 1 billion XRP tokens from its escrow accounts on March 1, 2026, as part of its longstanding monthly supply management program.
The event follows the company’s consistent pattern of unlocking up to 1 billion XRP at the beginning of each month since the escrow system was established in 2017.
The escrow mechanism was introduced when Ripple placed 55 billion XRP, or 55% of the total supply, into cryptographically secured contracts on the XRP Ledger.
These contracts are structured to mature sequentially, allowing up to 1 billion XRP to be released each month transparently and predictably. The goal is to maintain market stability, avoid sudden supply shocks, and support operational needs such as liquidity for On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) services and institutional partnerships.
Notably, the March 1 unlock is expected to follow the same pattern as previous cycles. In February 2026, Ripple released 1 billion XRP, worth about $1.63 billion at the time, but re-escrowed roughly 700 million tokens, leaving a net addition of around 300 million XRP to circulation.
After February’s release, about 33.895 billion XRP remained in escrow. Assuming a comparable re-escrow in March, the balance is projected to decline to roughly 33.595 billion XRP.
Market observers note that while the headline figure of 1 billion XRP draws attention, the actual impact on circulating supply and price is typically muted due to the re-locking process.
XRP price analysis
Indeed, XRP has faced downward pressure in early 2026 amid broader cryptocurrency market consolidation. At press time, the token was trading at $1.31, down more than 7% over the past 24 hours and 8.6% on the weekly chart.
As things stand, XRP remains well below its 50-day SMA of $1.69 and 200-day SMA of $2.26, signaling sustained downside pressure. Trading under the 50-day average points to short- to medium-term weakness, while the wide gap below the 200-day SMA confirms a broader bearish trend. Unless XRP reclaims at least the 50-day level, rallies are likely to face resistance.
Meanwhile, the 14-day RSI stands at 39.94, in neutral territory but approaching oversold levels. Readings below 40 indicate weakening momentum and continued selling pressure, though the indicator has not yet reached the typical oversold threshold near 30.
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