TLDR
- Ripple established an escrow system in 2017 to manage XRP’s supply and protect its market price.
- The escrow framework releases XRP in fixed amounts through smart contracts, ensuring predictable supply.
- Unused XRP returns to escrow each month, preventing excess supply from impacting XRP’s value.
- Nearly 40% of all XRP remains in escrow as of July 2025, providing stability to the market.
- The system supports market-making and institutional sales, contributing to XRP’s liquidity.
Ripple has developed a system to stabilize XRP’s price by controlling its supply through an escrow arrangement. This structure limits the amount of XRP entering the market at any given time, ensuring a predictable and controlled supply. The escrow system, established in 2017, provides clarity and stability, preventing sudden market fluctuations.
Ripple’s Escrow System Protects XRP Value
Ripple locked 55 billion XRP into an escrow account, securing the tokens through smart contracts. Each contract unlocks a fixed amount of XRP monthly, with set release dates.
“The design ensures that a large number of XRP will not enter the market at one time and lead to a substantial reduction in the price of XRP,” Ripple explains in its framework.
The system is designed to avoid sudden spikes in supply, which could affect XRP’s price. By having set release schedules, Ripple prevents any large shifts in liquidity. If XRP is not used in a given month, the unused tokens are returned to escrow, restarting the release cycle.
This predictable release system allows Ripple to protect XRP’s value. The company’s clear and consistent supply management assures investors and institutions. The release framework offers clarity on how much XRP will be available in the market each month, minimizing uncertainty.
Stable Liquidity and Market Confidence
As of July 2025, nearly 40% of XRP remains locked in escrow, protecting it from sudden market disruptions. The predictable supply helps institutions plan their operations with confidence. This stable structure is crucial as more institutions adopt cryptocurrencies and require a reliable supply framework.
Ripple uses the unlocked XRP primarily for market-making and institutional sales. These tokens are used to incentivize market participants, ensuring liquidity remains stable. The clear timeline for these releases ensures that XRP remains a trusted asset for institutional transactions.
The escrow system limits speculation on the availability of XRP, offering a stable environment. It allows institutions to anticipate the timing and amount of XRP entering circulation, promoting orderly market behavior. This predictability helps XRP maintain its value, making it a more reliable settlement asset.


