Markets
March 20, 2026
Ripple’s XRP is down slightly in the past 24 hours, but that is not what is getting attention right now. Another Ripple escrow release is due soon, and it comes at a time when the conversation around XRP is shifting again. Not just about supply, but about how it’s actually being used. Evernorth, in particular, has been pushing that angle and bringing the focus back to payments.
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How Ripple Escrow Release & XRP’s Speed Transform Payments
Ripple is preparing its usual monthly unlock, often referred to as an escrow release, which is of 1 billion XRP. This happens at a fixed escrow token unlock date each month. On paper, releasing up to 1 billion XRP sounds like a lot. But the pattern has stayed fairly the same.
Most of the tokens do not stay in circulation. In March, about 700 million XRP were placed back into escrow shortly after the unlock. The same trend showed up in earlier months this year.
Historically, Ripple has relocked between 60% and 80% of the released XRP. This leaves a smaller portion, usually between 200 million and 400 million XRP. This is available for use. Even then, it is not all sold into the market. Some of its support liquidity and ongoing partnerships.
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Evernorth Pushes XRP as a Faster Payment Rail
While this cycle plays out, Evernorth is focusing on a different side of XRP. The firm recently highlighted how Evernorth could change how money moves globally through XRP payments. A lot of capital still sits idle in bank accounts, mainly to make cross-border transfers work.
This is where Evernorth is making use of XRP’s speed. According to the firm, XRP can move funds in seconds at very low cost. This removes the need to lock up capital in advance and makes transfers more efficient. Earlier this month, the firm filed to bring a $1 billion XRP treasury company to Nasdaq.
The timing of this comes as the regulatory picture around XRP shifts. The SEC recently acknowledged XRP as a digital commodity, bringing a notable change to the ecosystem. Despite having a rough start to its day, the price of XRP recorded a notable rise at press time. The altcoin surged by 3% over the past 24 hours and was trading at $1.43. Just earlier today, XRP was priced at a low of $1.36.
