XRP rich list thresholds fall 85% as wallet growth surges, Bitwise ETF holdings jump

XRP is drawing renewed attention as significant shifts unfold in its ownership distribution and ecosystem expansion. Market observers point to a substantial rise in the number of XRP Ledger accounts, a reduction in the XRP required to join the so-called rich list, and mounting institutional interest through products like the Bitwise XRP ETF.

Rich list barriers drop amid wallet surge

Digital Asset Investor, a well-known crypto commentator, highlighted these dynamics in a recent post, referencing data from digital currencies educator James Rule XRP. He detailed changes in the criteria required to reach various XRP rich-list rankings from 2020 to 2026.

In July 2020, an account needed roughly 24.2 million XRP to place in the top 0.01% of holders. By November 6, 2026, that level dropped to around 3.6 million XRP. The threshold for the top 0.1% fell from 750,000 XRP to 271,000 XRP, and the top 1% tier decreased from 80,000 XRP to approximately 43,000 XRP. The entry point for the top 10% also shrank from 3,000 XRP to 2,058 XRP.

James Rule XRP attributed these changes to a surge in funded accounts on the XRP Ledger, which climbed from approximately 1.88 million in January 2020 to more than 8.3 million by November 2026—a net increase of about 6.4 million accounts. Adjustments to the network’s reserve requirements have also lowered the costs associated with opening and maintaining accounts. However, he cautioned that wallet numbers do not equate to individual investors, since large exchanges aggregate funds from many customers under single addresses.

Digital Asset Investor, while calling the data compelling, emphasized these figures illustrate shifts in ownership patterns and do not signal future price action.

James Rule XRP explained that while rich-list entry now requires fewer XRP, this development primarily reflects broader adoption and does not directly forecast market price. He also stressed that multiple accounts are often managed by the same entity or exchange.

Ripple targets tokenization surge on XRP Ledger

Ripple, the blockchain firm behind the XRP Ledger, anticipates significant tokenization growth on its network in the coming year. Reece Merrick of Ripple discussed how tokenized financial instruments such as money market funds and treasuries could be used as on-chain collateral in repo and margin markets, which collectively handle trillions of dollars per day.

Merrick stated tokenization would enable these instruments to serve as collateral without requiring redemption into cash, potentially increasing their utility across the financial sector. He projected considerable expansion in this field over the next 12 months, with much of the activity expected to occur on the XRP Ledger.

This outlook suggests growing institutional engagement and improved liquidity within the XRP ecosystem as financial entities leverage the network for tokenized activities.

Mini dictionary: Tokenization, the process of converting physical or traditional financial assets into digital tokens on a blockchain, enables instant settlement, fractional ownership, and increased accessibility for a wide range of asset types.

Ripple’s Reece Merrick described the potential for tokenized treasuries and money market funds to be integrated into on-chain transactions, unlocking new possibilities for institutional use cases on the XRP Ledger.

CLARITY Act prospects and ETF growth attract attention

Crypto investor Kevin O’Leary commented that the financial industry’s demand for more efficient payment solutions could prompt US lawmakers to pass the CLARITY Act in 2027, which would provide clearer digital asset regulation. The discussion also covered Coinbase’s stance on crypto accessibility and the ongoing political debate around digital asset legislation.

Additionally, Digital Asset Investor shared that the Bitwise XRP ETF increased its holdings to 413 million XRP by September 30, 2026. Compared to year-end 2025, the fund added 131.22 million XRP, representing a 215% increase, with total net assets reported at $614.85 million.

These developments reflect a broader trend toward institutional adoption and regulatory engagement surrounding the XRP ecosystem as it evolves.