Ripple's Q3 XRP Sales Doubled Amid Market Volatility
According to Ripple's quarterly report released on October 25, 2018, the company sold **$163.33 million worth of XRP** in Q3—more than double the $73.53 million sold in Q2. These sales were conducted through:
- Ripple Inc: $65.27 million
- Subsidiary XRP II, LLC: $98.06 million
The Q3 sales represented 0.172% of global XRP circulation, up from 0.125% in Q2. Ripple maintained its monthly release of 300 million–1 billion XRP from escrow, consistent with Q2 practices. Notably, 400 million unreleased XRP were allocated to ecosystem development.
XRP Market Performance Highlights
- Price volatility remained low for most of Q3 before spiking in the final two weeks
- XRP surpassed Ethereum's market cap twice in September 2018
Key growth drivers included:
- Strategic partnerships with major banks
- Launch of xRapid for cross-border payments (October 2018)
- Adoption by PNC Bank and SBI Holdings' MoneyTap app
Strategic Partnerships Fueling XRP Adoption
👉 How Ripple's technology is transforming global payments
Ripple's ecosystem expansion in Q3 2018 included:
- SBI Holdings: Launched MoneyTap payment app using Ripple's distributed ledger technology
- PNC Bank: Began accepting xCurrent-powered cross-border transactions
- xRapid launch: Commercial release in October for liquidity solutions
These developments positioned XRP as a standout performer during the 2018 crypto bear market. The company's focus on real-world banking solutions differentiated it from speculative assets.
Ripple's Washington Lobbying Initiative
In September 2018, Ripple announced leadership of the Securing America's Internet of Value Coalition, a crypto advocacy group lobbying:
- U.S. legislators
- Financial regulators
The initiative:
- Retained bipartisan lobbying firm Klein/Johnson Group
- Budgeted $25,000 monthly + 10,000 XRP for advocacy efforts
- Aims to promote regulatory clarity for blockchain innovation
Understanding Blockchain Consensus Mechanisms
Consensus mechanisms determine:
- How new blocks are created
- How blockchain integrity is maintained
Common types include:
- Proof of Work (PoW)
- Proof of Stake (PoS)
- Delegated Proof of Stake (DPoS)
- Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT)
Each has distinct advantages for security, scalability, and decentralization—critical considerations for enterprise blockchain solutions like Ripple's.
FAQ: Ripple's XRP Strategy
Q: Why did Ripple increase XRP sales in Q3 2018?
A: The sales aligned with growing institutional demand and product launches, while maintaining <0.2% of circulating supply.
Q: How does xRapid differ from xCurrent?
A: xRapid utilizes XRP for liquidity, while xCurrent enables messaging without cryptocurrency settlement.
Q: What percentage of XRP remains in escrow?
A: As of Q3 2018, Ripple held ~55 billion XRP in escrow with scheduled monthly releases.