TLDR
- Ripple CTO confirms XRP escrow tokens can be sold or transferred.
- XRP’s total supply includes over 35 billion tokens locked in escrow.
- Escrowed XRP tokens cannot be circulated before release dates.
- Ripple could sell the rights to receive tokens when they are unlocked.
- Market cap calculations for XRP exclude escrowed tokens, sparking debates.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz has provided new clarity regarding XRP’s escrow holdings, which could change how investors view supply dynamics. In response to ongoing debates, Schwartz revealed that while XRP locked in escrow cannot be circulated before its scheduled release dates, Ripple could sell the rights to those future tokens. This clarification provides a fresh perspective on how XRP’s total supply is perceived in the market.
XRP Escrow Holdings and Transferable Rights
XRP’s total supply is capped at 100 billion tokens, with over 65 billion currently circulating. Over 35 billion XRP are locked in escrow contracts, which are often considered inaccessible until their release dates. Ripple’s CTO clarified that although these tokens cannot be circulated early, Ripple could sell the rights to receive the tokens once they are unlocked.
“The escrow accounts cannot be accessed before their release dates, but their legal claim could be transferred,” Schwartz said.
Ripple could sell the right to receive the tokens released from escrow or even sell the accounts the escrows complete into. But the XRP still can't circulate until their release dates.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) October 27, 2025
Schwartz’s statement is crucial in understanding the market value of XRP. While XRP locked in escrow cannot be directly sold, Ripple could potentially monetize the right to access the tokens once released. This could influence how investors perceive the liquidity and availability of XRP.
Ripple CTO Shifts XRP Market Cap Debate
The clarification by Ripple’s CTO highlights a key point of debate in the cryptocurrency market. XRP’s market capitalization often sparks controversy when compared to Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s market cap includes every coin ever mined, including lost or dormant coins, while XRP’s market cap excludes the escrow balance.
XRP Ledger data shows 14,180 separate escrow accounts holding over 35 billion XRP, or roughly 30% of the total supply. These tokens were previously assumed to be inaccessible beyond their time-locked release. However, Schwartz’s comments indicate that these escrowed tokens could be monetized or traded for their future rights.
This new insight into XRP’s escrow holdings could shift how investors interpret the token’s market valuation. While Ripple cannot accelerate the release of these tokens, they now hold transferable rights. This could influence future market behavior as more people become aware of the true scope of XRP’s supply and liquidity.
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