Large XRP holders have accumulated more than 380 million XRP over the past week, bringing total whale holdings to approximately 8.13 billion XRP, according to on-chain data from Santiment. The buying activity comes as XRP trades near the $1 support level, with the $1.06 resistance zone marking the primary barrier to further upside. XRP, the native token of the XRP Ledger, is closely tied to Ripple's cross-border payment infrastructure, and large-holder positioning often draws attention from traders who track on-chain flows as a proxy for institutional or high-net-worth sentiment.

Whale Holdings Climb to 8.13 Billion XRP

Data from Santiment indicates that large holders continued purchasing XRP even as the token's price consolidated around $1. Over a seven-day period, whales added over 380 million XRP to their positions, increasing their collective holdings to roughly 8.13 billion XRP. For context, XRP's total circulating supply is approximately 59 billion tokens, meaning the tracked whale cohort controls a meaningful portion of liquid supply — a dynamic that can amplify the impact of coordinated buying or selling pressure.

The accumulation coincides with a technical pattern identified by crypto analyst Ali Martinez. On August 9, 2026, Martinez noted on X that the Tom DeMark (TD) Sequential indicator had flashed a buy setup on XRP's monthly chart — a signal that has historically preceded major price moves. The TD Sequential, developed by veteran market technician Tom DeMark, is widely followed across crypto and traditional markets for its trend-exhaustion and timing signals.

3/5 Whales appear to be positioning for that possibility. Over the past week, large holders have accumulated more than 380 million XRP, an encouraging sign of conviction at current levels. pic.twitter.com/SRtgOiI2gh — Ali Charts (@alicharts) August 9, 2026

The TD Sequential indicator has produced notable signals for XRP over the past six years. A buy signal in April 2020 was followed by a 1,074% rally, while a similar signal in August 2022 preceded a 973% price surge. More recently, a sell signal in April 2025 preceded a 57% decline.

$1.06 Resistance and Upside Targets

Despite the scale of whale accumulation, XRP has yet to breach the $1.06 resistance level. Blockchain analysis indicates that approximately 3 billion XRP changed hands at this price point, making it a significant overhead supply zone — a concentration of prior buying that tends to create selling pressure as holders seek to break even on their positions.

A sustained break above $1.06 could open the path toward the next upside targets of $1.35 and $1.64, according to the analysis. Conversely, the $1 level is acting as a key support, and continued whale accumulation near this level may help cushion against further downside.

Ripple Escrow Activity Reduces New Supply

Ripple's monthly escrow activity provides additional context for the supply picture. On August 1, Ripple released 1 billion XRP from escrow as part of its scheduled distribution, with 700 million XRP subsequently returned to escrow. This net release of 300 million XRP represents a reduction in newly issued supply entering the market. Ripple has used the escrow mechanism since 2017 to impose a predictable, locked release schedule on its XRP holdings, a structure designed to address concerns about oversupply and tokenomics transparency.

Regulatory Timeline Adds Uncertainty

The broader cryptocurrency industry continues to navigate an evolving regulatory landscape. The CLARITY Act, under consideration in the United States, is now expected to be addressed in September, adding another variable for market participants to monitor. The bill is aimed at establishing clearer definitions of digital asset jurisdiction between the SEC and CFTC, and its progression is being tracked closely by XRP market participants given Ripple's protracted legal engagement with the SEC.

Confluence of Factors at Play

The combination of whale accumulation, reduced token issuance from Ripple's escrow, and a TD Sequential buy signal on the monthly chart presents a set of conditions that market observers are watching closely. Whether XRP can clear the $1.06 resistance level remains the central question for near-term price action, with the existing sideways trading phase potentially transitioning into a broader consolidation if buying pressure persists.

This article contains market analysis. Crypto markets are volatile. Always DYOR. Not financial advice.