XRP Escrow Release Fuels Bullish Momentum: Analyzing the Path to $3.50
On December 5, 2025, Ripple executed its monthly escrow release, unlocking 1 billion XRP tokens in two rapid tranches. This event, typically viewed with caution by the market, coincided with a remarkable 10% price surge, pushing XRP to $2.20. The swift movement of 500 million XRP to wallet 'Ripple (9)' and an identical amount to 'Ripple (28)' within minutes was followed by a significant act of market stewardship: the immediate return of 700 million XRP to new escrow contracts. This strategic maneuver demonstrates Ripple's commitment to managing supply inflation and has been interpreted by analysts as a strong bullish signal. The market's positive reaction suggests growing confidence in Ripple's structured distribution model and its underlying utility. With increased trading volume and a break past key resistance levels, technical analysts are now charting a near-term target of $2.80, with a bullish scenario projecting a rally toward $3.50 in the first quarter of 2026. This price action is underpinned by broader institutional adoption trends and favorable regulatory clarity in several major jurisdictions, which continue to enhance XRP's position as a cornerstone asset for cross-border settlement. The successful absorption of this escrow release without a sell-off indicates robust underlying demand and a maturing market structure, setting the stage for the next leg up in XRP's valuation.
Ripple Escrow Unlocks 1B XRP Amid 10% Price Surge
Ripple executed its scheduled escrow release of 1 billion XRP tokens in two tranches, fueling a double-digit price rally. The first 500 million XRP moved to wallet address 'Ripple (9)' at 21:00 UTC, followed by an identical transfer to 'Ripple (28)' just eleven minutes later. Blockchain records show these transactions coincided with XRP's 10% surge to $2.20.
The company demonstrated market stewardship by returning 700 million XRP to escrow shortly after the unlock. This leaves only 300 million XRP potentially entering circulation—a calculated MOVE that appears to have bolstered investor confidence. The remaining 400 million were locked in separate escrow contracts.
Ripple CEO Launches Anti-Scam Initiative for Holiday Season
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has unveiled the 'Scamberry Pie' campaign, a proactive initiative targeting online scams during the holidays. The program focuses on public education through identifying red flags like fake giveaways and impersonation schemes.
Partnering with Tech Against Scams Coalition and industry leaders including Coinbase, the campaign emphasizes verification tools and community dialogue to combat fraud. Garlinghouse notes: 'Scammers exploit silence—we're turning awareness into action.'
Canary Capital’s XRPC and HBR ETFs Now Live on Vanguard
Canary Capital Group LLC has launched its XRP and HBAR spot ETFs on the Vanguard investment platform, marking a significant step in bridging traditional finance with digital assets. The Canary XRP ETF (XRPC) and Canary HBAR ETF (HBR) provide Vanguard clients with regulated exposure to these cryptocurrencies, simplifying access to the burgeoning digital asset market.
At the time of writing, XRPC saw a modest gain of 0.34%, trading at $23.149, while HBR dipped slightly by 0.30% to $19.73. Trading volumes remained light, with just 7,367 shares changing hands. This listing underscores the growing institutional adoption of crypto assets, as major platforms like Vanguard continue to expand their offerings.
XRP Staking Debuts on Firelight Amid Push for Safer DeFi Ecosystem
Firelight Protocol has launched XRP staking through an innovative DeFi protection mechanism. The system converts staked XRP into liquid stXRP tokens while creating an insurance backstop against hacks—a persistent $2 billion annual problem plaguing decentralized finance.
Flare Network's FAssets integration enables XRP's first native DeFi utility. Stakers earn rewards funded by protocol premiums while their collateral secures cover pools. This dual-purpose design mirrors traditional finance's risk-transfer instruments, adapted for blockchain's transparency requirements.
The move comes as regulatory scrutiny intensifies following multiple high-profile exchange collapses. Firelight's model offers institutional-grade safeguards without centralized custody—addressing both security concerns and yield demands in the current 5.2% APY environment for blue-chip staking products.
