Ripple's XRP held in escrow could be maintained until mid-2035 if it continues to operate the system the way it does now.

Blockchain outlet The Crypto Basic reported on Sunday that Ripple currently holds 32.9 billion XRP in escrow. It also holds 5.03 billion XRP in wallets directly controlled by the company.

The key point is that while Ripple maintains a structure that allows it to release up to 1 billion XRP per month, it is re-locking a large amount back into escrow. Ripple placed 55 billion XRP into escrow in December 2017, and under the system up to 1 billion XRP is released each month. The company does not put the full amount on the market and is re-locking a substantial portion to limit increases in new supply.

The pace of decline over the past year also reflects that. The escrow balance fell to 32.9 billion XRP from 36.2 billion XRP in June 2025. About 3.3 billion XRP effectively left escrow over the year. Over the same period, XRP circulating supply increased to above 62.0 billion from 58.93 billion.

Whale Alert data show Ripple's recent operating pattern has been relatively consistent. From January to May this year, Ripple re-locked 700 million XRP into escrow each month. Based on the monthly release limit of 1 billion XRP, that means it effectively keeps about 300 million XRP each month. The tokens are known to be used for operating funds, partnerships, liquidity programmes and ecosystem expansion.

Using that benchmark, the remaining 32.9 billion XRP would last about 109 to 110 months, or about 9 years. If the current strategy does not change, the point at which escrow is exhausted is calculated to be around mid-2035. Observations have previously suggested Ripple's escrow could last close to 10 years under its current distribution strategy, and the latest figures broadly align with that view.

Some in the market also argue the supply pace should be increased. XRP supporter Bill Morgan (빌 모건) wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Ripple should release more of the 1 billion XRP unlocked each month and reduce the amount it locks back into escrow. He added that the closer circulating supply gets to 100 percent, the faster XRP will become the best hard money.

Still, if re-locking continues as it does now, supply expansion is likely to proceed gradually. If monthly usage rises, the depletion point moves forward. If Ripple uses 400 million XRP per month, the remaining escrow would be exhausted in about 82 months, or 6.8 years. That would be around early 2033. If it completely stops re-locking and releases the full 1 billion XRP each month, escrow could be depleted in about 33 months.

As a result, the focus going forward is whether Ripple maintains its re-locking-centred strategy or increases the pace of circulation. The monthly amount that is actually released to the market, rather than the remaining escrow balance itself, remains the variable that shapes XRP's supply structure.

I know. Ripple should release more of the 1 billion each month and not lock so much back in escrow. The sooner it is all released from escrow and the circulating supply is 100% the quicker XRP will become the best hard money. https://t.co/cG1V6jEGTx