Ripple will release 1 billion XRP from its escrow account on May 1, 2026, as part of its long-standing monthly token unlock program. At the current XRP price of $1.41, the tranche carries an estimated value of approximately $1.41 billion. This release continues a schedule established in 2017, when Ripple placed 55 billion XRP into escrow on the XRP Ledger to improve supply transparency and predictability.
Under the program, Ripple typically re-locks between 60% and 80% of the released tokens into new escrow contracts. In March and April 2026, the company retained only 200 to 300 million XRP for operational use, meaning the majority of unlocked tokens did not enter active circulation. However, critics argue that the monthly unlocks effectively dilute XRP holders, as Ripple uses the retained tokens to fund its operations. Crypto commentator Crypto Tony highlighted that Ripple's sales, along with historical conduits like MoneyGram and co-founder Jed McCaleb's multi-year XRP dumping, have contributed to sustained downward pressure on the token.
XRP has been trading in consolidation for over 12 weeks after first-quarter volatility, with price action testing key support levels. Analysts identify the next support zone around $1.13 on higher time frames, and if that level fails, the price could move toward $0.90 and $0.73. The $0.73 level aligns with the 0.702 Fibonacci retracement on the three-day chart, which traders often track for potential liquidity concentration. XRP currently risks breaking below a multi-week ascending support line, and market data suggests it may remain in an early macro Elliott Wave correction.
According to XRPScan data, Ripple still holds approximately 33.355 billion XRP in its escrow wallets. The upcoming unlock on May 1 continues a schedule expected to run through at least 2027.
