A new analysis of the XRP ecosystem has revealed just how exclusive the top tiers of token holders have become.
According to a July 2025 update from XRPScan and shared by crypto analyst Edoardo Farina, there are currently only 663 wallets in existence that hold more than 5 million XRP each.
These accounts make up the top 0.01% of the entire network, underlining the extreme rarity of high-level XRP ownership.
While XRP is among the most recognised cryptocurrencies in the world, the data highlights that very few individuals or entities actually hold large amounts of the token.
Despite there being around 6.6 million XRP wallets on-chain, Farina estimates that fewer than one million people globally are actual holders, with many wallets being duplicates, inactive, or used by the same individual.
That figure represents just 0.01% of the global population.
XRP bridge list shows steep thresholds for elite tiers
The XRP Rich List, often referred to as the bridge list, categorises wallets based on how much XRP they contain. It also provides a benchmark for users to determine where they stand among other holders.
As of July 2025, to be in the top 10%, a wallet must hold at least 2,486 XRP. The bar for the top 5% is 8,758 XRP, while entry into the top 1% requires more than 50,000 XRP.
Users with 50,637 XRP or more are considered whales. However, the threshold for ultra-elite status is much higher.
Only 663 wallets globally hold over 5 million XRP, and these are likely to belong to early contributors such as Arthur Britto or Chris Larsen, founders of Ripple, or to major institutions and exchanges such as Binance, Upbit, and Uphold.
The list includes wallets that may be operated by Ripple itself, which still holds a considerable portion of the total supply in escrow.
Whale accumulation skewed by exchanges and institutions
The presence of exchanges and corporate entities on the Rich List has a significant impact on how XRP ownership is distributed.
Many of the largest wallets belong to custodial services that aggregate holdings on behalf of millions of retail investors.
As a result, while a wallet may contain millions of tokens, it does not necessarily represent a single user’s balance.
This concentration distorts the perception of decentralisation in the XRP network.
It suggests that a substantial portion of XRP’s total supply is under the control of a relatively small number of players, even though retail participation has grown since XRP’s initial distribution.
Staying in the top ranks is getting harder as prices rise
Farina also pointed out that maintaining a top-tier rank on the Rich List is becoming increasingly difficult.
As XRP’s price trends upward, the fiat value needed to remain in the same holding category is rising.
For instance, while $1,000 to $1,500 may have been enough last year to be in the top 10%, that figure is now much higher.
Furthermore, he noted that many XRP wallets are inactive or associated with long-term holders who maintain multiple addresses.
This adds complexity to the true distribution of ownership.
He stressed that to ensure long-term success, users need more than just tokens in their wallet.
Cold storage, patience, and strong emotional discipline are essential, especially during high-volatility phases when price spikes could tempt holders to sell prematurely.
The data also suggests that XRP ownership has not expanded significantly into the broader global population, despite growing institutional engagement.
With fewer than one million real holders worldwide, XRP remains relatively concentrated, and becoming a top holder remains out of reach for most investors.
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