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Welcome to the US Cryptocurrency News Morning Briefing – your essential summary of the most important developments in the cryptocurrency world for the day ahead.
Grab a coffee and get ready for bed. January is already shaping up to test the patience of XRP traders. While headlines circulate about Ripple’s $1 billion collateral opening, the real story may be less in the numbers and more in what the market chooses to do with them.
Daily Cryptocurrency News: Ripple to unlock $1 billion in XRP by early 2026
Ripple is scheduled to open 1 billion XRP from escrow on January 1, 2026, marking the first planned issuance in New year.
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At the current XRP price of $1.88, the headline figure represents about $1.9 billion, attracting the attention of traders and analysts.
However, history suggests that the market impact may be much less than the number suggests. This is because Ripple’s monthly openings are part of a carefully managed supply mechanism and not a sudden shock.
The escrow framework was created in 2017 to promote transparency and predictability in the supply of XRP.
Under this table, Ripple releases 1 billion XRP monthly But they usually re-block between 60% and 80% of the tokens, keeping only a small part for operational or liquidity needs.
For example, in December 2025, about 70% of unsecured XRP was returned to escrow, leaving less than 300-400 million potentially liquid XRP.
If January follows this pattern, traders can see a limited increase in net supply despite the apparent huge open.
However, look at the market. XRP is facing continued selling pressurewith Imminent risk of collapse of 41%. However, structural demand appears to be stable, as seen with inflows into US XRP spot funds.
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XRP ETF flows and supply dynamics Highlight Ripple Price Forecast for 2026
SoSoValue data shows that XRP ETFs have recorded more than 30 consecutive days of flows, including $15.55 million on December 30 alone. This brings total assets held by index funds to $1.27 billion.
These flows highlight confidence in XRP’s long-term position among institutions, even amid… Short term fluctuations.
Exchange credits add another layer to the supply story. Analysts point out that XRP held on exchanges has fallen from about 4 billion to less than 1.5 billion over the past year, indicating a tight supply of liquid.
“XRP held on exchanges has dropped from about 4 billion to less than 1.5 billion in just 12 months. That’s how the real shocks are starting to show.” books One of the analysts.
Combined with security issues and ETF accumulation, this dynamic can help dampen market volatility, even when headline numbers attract attention.
The January opening also coincides with regulatory developments. LAW CLARITY, Who was confirmed to increase the profit in the Senate in January 2026sets the rules for how banks and financial institutions treat digital assets, including XRP.
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The clarity of the regulation may influence Ripple’s decisions on how much XRP to restrict. This is because clear rules for how banks and institutions interact with digital assets can reduce the need to return wallets.
Conversely, uncertainty or stricter interpretations may cause Ripple to keep more tokens locked to avoid potential compliance issues.
At the same time, regulatory clarity can also shape broader market sentiment and institutional participation.
XRP has moved from speculation to financial infrastructure
Short-term price impacts aside, 2025 marks a turning point in the XRP narrative. Ripple has moved beyond being a payments-centric company, and ventured into institutional-grade financial infrastructure.
XRPL’s capabilities in stablecoins, staking and settlementAlong with the growing adoption of exchange-traded funds and structured products, it has shifted the debate from speculation to utility.
This change positions XRP as signaling for wider diffusion and adoption with less potential shock.
XRP will be unlocked, but how much XRP will enter circulation, and how will institutions react? While the headlines may suggest a significant increase in supply, the reality is that history, data on the chain and strategic positioning point to a controlled and often predictable release.
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Today’s map
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Here’s a roundup of more US cryptocurrency news to follow today:
Overview of Pre-Market Cryptocurrency Stocks
| Company | Closed until December 30th | Early market overview |
| Strategy (MSTR) | $155.60 | $156.59 (+0.64%) |
| Coinbase (COIN) | $231.60 | $232.08 (+0.21%) |
| Galaxy Digital Holdings (GLXY) | $22.78 | $22.82 (+0.18%) |
| Mara Holdings (MARA) | $9.33 | $9.34 (+0.11%) |
| RIOT Platforms | $12.70 | $12.70 (0.00%) |
| Basic Sciences (CORZ) | $14.61 | $14.58 (-0.21%) |
