Supply Shock Narrative Faces Doubt As XRP Exchange Reserves Hit 8-Year Lows

Ripple RLUSD. Photo by BeInCrypto XRP reserves on centralized exchanges (CEX) fell sharply in 2025, dropping from roughly 4 billion tokens at the start of the year to around 1.6–1.7 billion by December. This marks the lowest levels since 2018, prompting speculation over whether a supply shock could emerge in 2026. However, analysts caution that low exchange balances alone may not translate into immediate price pressure or a sustained rally. XRP Exchange Reserve Decline in Historical Context Data from G ...