Ripple Co-Founder Chris Larsen Sells $200M in XRP Amid Market Volatility

Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen has reportedly sold approximately $200 million worth of XRP tokens in the past 10 days, according to CryptoQuant analyst J.A. Maartun. In a social media post on X, Maartun cautioned investors, stating, “Still buying? You’re the exit liquidity. He’s dumping on you. Think twice,” highlighting growing concerns among traders about major insider sales.

Forbes currently estimates Larsen’s net worth at $10.8 billion, ranking him as the 264th wealthiest individual globally. Despite the recent sell-off, Larsen still holds around 2.8 billion XRP tokens, based on recent data. These holdings originate from the 2012 pre-mine, during which Ripple’s founders collectively received 20% of the token’s total supply, with Larsen initially allocated 9.5 billion XRP.

The large-scale liquidation coincides with heightened volatility in XRP’s price. Earlier this week, the token experienced its steepest daily decline since April, briefly dipping below the $3 mark before regaining some ground. This market movement has sparked debate over potential impacts on XRP’s future trajectory, especially as the network continues to show high levels of activity on the XRP Ledger.

Larsen’s token sales come at a time when investor sentiment toward major altcoins remains mixed. While some traders view the recent dip as a buying opportunity, others interpret insider selling as a cautionary signal amid broader market uncertainty. With Ripple’s ongoing legal and regulatory challenges, market observers are closely watching whether further sales could pressure XRP prices or trigger additional volatility.

The news underscores ongoing concerns over large holders’ influence on cryptocurrency markets and highlights the importance of monitoring whale activity for potential market shifts.