Number of XRP Holders Exceeds 7.7 Million for the First Time
March 17, 2026
XRP has recently seen a significant increase in its number of holders, surpassing 7.7 million for the first time in its 13-year history. This growth was accompanied by a surge in the altcoin’s price, which jumped by 14% over the past two days. The XRP Ledger also recorded a five-week high of 46,767 active addresses on March 16.
At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $1.5, with trading volume spiking by over 60% in the past 24 hours to $5.2 billion. The coin’s market capitalization has reached $92.2 billion, exceeding that of BNB, which stands at $90.9 billion. Despite the price of XRP being 37% lower than it was in October 2025, open interest on Binance has increased by 59%, indicating a bullish sentiment among traders.
One of the main drivers behind XRP’s recent rally is the influx of retail investors from South Korea, particularly individuals aged 40-50. According to analyst Ryan Yoon, these investors are shifting their focus back to cryptocurrencies, with XRP being a preferred choice due to its volatility and familiarity in the market. XRP dominates the spot market on local exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb, accounting for nearly 19% of all transactions on these platforms.
The surge in trading volumes on Korean exchanges is attributed to a shift in liquidity from traditional stock markets to cryptocurrencies. As stocks enter a consolidation phase, investors are seeking new opportunities in the crypto space, driving up trading activity on platforms like Upbit and Bithumb. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in capital inflows into spot exchange-traded funds based on XRP, with products from various companies gaining traction in the US market.
In February, Ripple and XRP Ledger developers announced plans to introduce new DeFi options on the network to enhance the utility of the native token as an intermediary and settlement asset. These developments have further fueled investor interest in XRP, leading to increased adoption and participation in the market.
Overall, the recent surge in XRP’s price and trading activity signals a growing interest in the altcoin among retail and institutional investors. With the number of XRP holders reaching a new milestone and trading volumes spiking, the future looks promising for XRP as it continues to establish itself as a prominent player in the cryptocurrency space.
