Exchanges Hoard 80% of XRP: The Quiet Crypto Saga 📉🤔

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In the dim light of recent revelations, it turns out the mighty quartet of exchanges-Upbit, Binance, Bithumb, and Uphold-are holding the lion’s share of XRP. Imagine that: just four giants, and they clutch about 80% of all XRP stored on exchanges, like a trio of old men guarding a secret stash of vodka. They’ve got roughly 12.3 billion XRPs, which, frankly, sounds like enough to start a small, entirely unnecessary revolution. 😉

And just when you thought the drama was over, there’s a noticeable dip after the fourth-place finisher. We’re talking about a chasm of 1.1 billion XRPs between Uphold and Bitbank-more than a tiny quarrel, a veritable canyon of cryptocurrency indifference. Reality is never simple, is it?

South Korean dominance

Now, here’s where the plot thickens-Upbit, the South Korean star, outshines Binance by a factor of 2.5. Yes, you read that right. The XRP fanatics in South Korea seem to have an undying affection for the digital token. It’s so popular, it borders on the obsession, likely fueled by something quaintly called the Kimchi Premium-because nothing says “serious investment” like a bizarrely spicy nickname. 🌶️

Binance, the big boy worldwide, sits comfortably in second place for XRP holdings, with its 21 wallets hinting at a complex custody puzzle that would make even the most seasoned accountant raise an eyebrow. Meanwhile, Bithumb’s presence cements South Korea’s dominance: over half of the XRP on this list belongs to those two Korean heavyweights. Truly, the peninsula is rocking the XRP boat-probably with a lot of confidence and maybe a little kimchi for good measure.

XRP-friendly exchange

Then there’s Uphold, the noble “XRP-friendly” outpost. They stuck to XRP through thick and thin-delisted? Not them. Ongoing SEC battles? Still supporting. You’d think they’re invested personally in XRP’s survival. According to the ever-reliable U.Today, XRP was the top-traded cryptocurrency on Uphold, which makes their loyalty almost poetic-or perhaps just convenient for their traders to enjoy a little XRP buffet. 🍽️

XRP ETF share

Finally, the grand total of XRP controlled by exchange-traded products sits at a mere 1%. Small percentage? Maybe. But these ETF launches, like debutantes at a ball, have been surprisingly successful-so perhaps there’s hope yet that XRP might one day dance on Wall Street’s stage. Or at least wade into the shallow end of the investment pool.

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2025-12-31 08:49