On-chain investigator ZachXBT has revealed that Ripple co-founder and executive chairman Chris Larsen still controls over $7 billion worth of XRP tokens.
In his Telegram channel, ZachXBT identified seven XRP Ledger addresses linked to Larsen, noting that they remain active. He also reported that in January 2025 alone, Larsen transferred over $109 million worth of XRP to crypto exchanges, likely for sale.
ZachXBT added a disclaimer that some of these addresses have been dormant for several years, raising the possibility that Larsen may have lost access to certain funds or transferred them to other parties. He also referenced a major security breach last year, in which Larsen lost $112 million worth of XRP due to a hack.
This disclosure comes as former U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of a “crypto strategic reserve,” which will include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA). The news sparked a market-wide rally, with XRP surging over 37%, significantly boosting Larsen’s net worth in just a few hours.
Larsen’s significant holdings and ongoing transactions have reignited concerns about the centralization of XRP supply among early Ripple executives. While critics warn that such concentrated ownership could influence market stability, supporters argue that it demonstrates long-term commitment to the project.
The timing of these revelations, alongside Trump’s announcement, has intensified speculation over regulatory and institutional shifts that could impact XRP’s future. Investors are now closely monitoring how Ripple’s leadership and the broader crypto industry navigate these developments.
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