Ripple Unlocks 1 Billion XRP Worth $1.25 Billion Ahead of November XRPL Upgrade
Ripple released 1 billion XRP from its escrow holdings on November 1, 2026, in a scheduled distribution valued at approximately $1.25 billion. The release coincides with preparations for a major XRP Ledger (XRPL) amendment expected to address several network functions, According to blockchain tracker Whale Alert, including automated market makers, lending operations, and permissioned decentralized exchanges.
Blockchain tracker Whale Alert reported two transactions involving 500 million XRP each. Each transaction was valued at approximately $626.43 million, bringing the combined value of the release to around $1.25 billion.
How Ripple's Monthly XRP Escrow Release Works
Ripple established its escrow system to manage XRP distribution through scheduled releases and provide greater predictability around the token's supply. The company initially placed 55 billion XRP into escrow, allowing up to 1 billion tokens to be released each month.
However, the monthly unlock does not mean the entire amount automatically enters circulation. Ripple has historically returned unused tokens to escrow, relocking approximately 700 million XRP per month while retaining the remainder for liquidity management and operational requirements.
Developments across Ripple's ecosystem also continued in October. The company held its Swell conference and the XRP Seoul event, while Coinbase expanded access to Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin. The stablecoin became available to retail and institutional customers through Coinbase Prime, Coinbase Exchange, and the Coinbase retail application.
XRPL Amendment Could Activate on November 4
Separately, the XRP Ledger is preparing for the fixCleanup3_4_0 amendment, which could activate on November 4, 2026, at approximately 2:46 p.m. UTC, according to XRPScan data.
The proposal entered its activation window on October 21 after validator voting was reset. To proceed, support must remain above 80% throughout the mandatory 14-day approval period. If validator support falls to 80% or lower, the voting process will restart, potentially delaying activation.
The amendment includes fixes affecting Automated Market Makers, lending operations, Single Asset Vaults, and permissioned decentralized exchanges. Additional improvements cover non-fungible tokens, trust lines, escrow functionality, transaction signing, sponsorship, and permission delegation.
One notable change would enable PaymentBurn permission delegation. This follows the activation of the broader Permission Delegation feature in October and would extend the functionality available through the network's permission system.
XRP Supply and XRPL Development Remain Separate Issues
Ripple's monthly escrow release and the upcoming XRPL amendment represent two distinct developments. The escrow mechanism governs the scheduled release and management of XRP holdings, while the amendment focuses on changes to the ledger's technical capabilities.
The full effect of the November release on circulating supply depends on how much XRP Ripple retains and how much it returns to escrow. Meanwhile, activation of fixCleanup3_4_0 remains dependent on the validator approval process and could be delayed if the required support threshold is not maintained.
Writer: Marcus RenfieldCrypto Market Analyst & Onchain WriterMarcus Renfield covers cryptocurrency markets with a focus on onchain data, Bitcoin price action, and emerging market narratives. His writing examines how capital flows, network activity, and broader market structure influence short- and medium-term trends.He aims to provide clear, data-informed analysis for readers seeking a deeper understanding of crypto market dynamics.