The Rich List: Who Controls the Most XRP in 2025?
XRP, one of the most widely used cryptocurrencies, continues to dominate headlines in 2025, with questions around its ownership concentration and decentralization sparking intense debate within the crypto space. With Ripple Labs leading the charge, let’s take a deep dive into who owns the most XRP and the key players shaping this digital currency’s future.
Ripple Labs: The Largest XRP Holder
Ripple Labs, the San Francisco-based developer of the XRP Ledger, has maintained its position as the single largest XRP holder. The company controls approximately 42% of the total 100 billion XRP supply, a position that gives it unparalleled market influence. Ripple employs an “escrow release system,” which unlocks 1 billion XRP monthly via smart contract technology. This system ensures predictable liquidity while managing price stability.
Unlike dumping XRP into the market monthly, Ripple relocks over 60% of the unused funds back into escrow. Thanks to this calculated treasury management, its 35-billion XRP escrow stash is set to last for years. However, Ripple’s significant hold over XRP raises questions about decentralization and market effects, serving as both an advantage and a challenge for the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Chris Larsen: The Top Individual Holder
Among individual holders of XRP, Chris Larsen, Ripple’s co-founder and executive chairman, leads the way. Holding over 2.5 billion XRP (valued at approximately $7 billion), Larsen wields substantial influence over XRP’s market dynamics. His holdings are spread across eight crypto wallets, with some remaining untouched since 2013.
Amid XRP’s resurgence in 2025 and seven-year price highs of over $3, Larsen made headlines in July after moving $175 million worth of XRP to exchanges. Despite these sell-offs, his remaining 2.81 billion XRP cements his role as one of crypto’s wealthiest individuals and a key player in the XRP ecosystem.
Exchanges Joining the XRP Rich List
Global crypto exchanges also play a significant role in XRP ownership. Korean giant Upbit leads the pack, holding 6 billion XRP and showcasing tremendous retail and institutional demand within South Korea. Binance follows closely with 2.7 billion XRP in its custody wallets, while Uphold and Coinbase hold 2 billion XRP and 780 million XRP, respectively.
Such concentrated XRP holdings on exchanges reflect both retail trends and institutional confidence. However, it’s important to note that most of these holdings represent customer funds rather than institutional trading positions.
Decentralization Concerns and Wealth Concentration
Despite its growing adoption and increasing number of wallets holding over 1 million XRP, the cryptocurrency has one of the highest concentration rates among its peers. In 2025, just 100 wallets control a staggering 68% of XRP’s total circulating supply, highlighting a significant centralization issue that continues to dog the coin’s reputation.
This wealth concentration is further amplified by the increase in “whale” wallets. By mid-2025, addresses holding 1 million or more XRP soared to new heights, crossing 2,700, reflecting growing institutional trust. XRP also recorded a sharp spike in daily active users, reaching an impressive 295,000 in June 2025, up from 35,000-40,000 earlier in the year.
The Legal Clarity Driving XRP’s Growth
XRP’s transformation in 2025 has been remarkable, recovering from its embroilment in a years-long lawsuit with the U.S. SEC. With the lawsuit dropped earlier this year, the cryptocurrency secured unprecedented judicial standing, fueling renewed confidence from both retails and institutions. Exchanges and major players have used this legal clarity to expand their XRP reserves.
Still, concerns around decentralization and wealth concentration linger. With Ripple Labs and a handful of entities holding the majority of XRP, true decentralization may remain elusive, even as investor confidence in the asset grows.
Your Guide to Joining the XRP Rich List
Want to know what it takes to enter XRP’s top 10% of holders? As of August 2025, you need just 2,396 XRP (around $7,000). This reflects the rising accessibility of XRP, even as it continues to attract whales and institutional players.
For newcomers looking to invest in XRP, consider using trusted exchanges like Binance or Uphold. Both platforms offer secure solutions for buying, selling, and storing XRP.
Final Thoughts
2025 marks a pivotal year for XRP, where increased institutional interest and legal validation have pushed the cryptocurrency into new heights. However, the high concentration of ownership—both by Ripple Labs and prominent figures like Chris Larsen—raises valid concerns about decentralization and market influence. As the XRP ecosystem continues to grow, its rich list serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between institutional backing and the technology’s core ethos of decentralization.
Will XRP’s growing utility and institutional adoption outshine its centralization issues? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency!