Expert Says XRP Could Soon Be Out of Reach for 99% of People

Edoardo Farina, founder of Alpha Lions Academy, believes that in the near future, only 1% of the population will be able to afford XRP. 

He predicts that the other 99% will be priced out due to global economic problems, increasing institutional control over crypto, and new technology.

Factors That Could Price Out 99% of People from XRP

Farina says that as the economy worsens, fewer people can realistically invest in digital assets. Inflation is rising while wages remain low, making everyday life more expensive. Since 2019, global instability from major events has made matters even harder. Many people are selling their crypto — including XRP — just to cover basic expenses such as rent and food.

This, he explains, is pushing regular investors out of the market and allowing big institutions to take over. High credit card debt and missed payments also indicate that saving money is becoming more difficult. For those living paycheck to paycheck, Farina believes investing in cryptocurrencies like XRP has become a luxury.

Confirmation via On-Chain Data

Indeed, recent data on XRP holders shows that rising prices are changing who qualifies as a top holder. XRP is currently trading around $2.04. Fewer tokens are now needed to be a top holder, but the dollar cost to reach that status has increased.

• The top 10% of XRP holders includes about 747,281 wallets.
• To be in this group, a wallet needs at least 2,331 XRP, worth roughly $4,662 today.
• In October 2024, the top 10% required about 3,300 XRP, which cost around $1,551 at the time.
• By January 2025, the requirement dropped to 2,599 XRP.

Analysts say the drop in token numbers is due to XRP’s price rising, so fewer tokens are needed to reach the top tier. However, the financial cost to join has grown significantly. For the top 1% of wallets:

• About 74,729 wallets hold at least 48,716 XRP, worth nearly $100,000 today.
• Out of roughly 7.47 million XRP wallets, about 6 million hold 500 XRP or less, and 3.55 million hold 20 XRP or less.
• Meanwhile, 138 wallets holding 5 million to 10 million XRP on average. Only six wallets hold 1 billion XRP and above.

This shows that most XRP is concentrated in a small number of large wallets, suggesting retail investors are already being priced out.

Major Institutions Increasing XRP Exposure

While retail participation declines, Farina claims that large financial institutions are moving in aggressively. He says these players are increasing their XRP holdings, positioning themselves for what they see as its long-term role in a restructured global financial system.

Notably, this trend is reflected in ETFs launched in November 2025, which have accumulated nearly 700 million XRP, with total assets now worth $1.37 billion.

With fewer individual holders and reduced retail liquidity, Farina speculates that XRP prices could surge to levels not previously seen, delivering massive gains to those who continue holding the asset.

Tough Outlook for Retail, Big Rewards for the Few Who Remain

While Farina paints a challenging picture for retail investors, he believes that those who hold onto their XRP could benefit significantly in the long run. For instance, he predicts XRP could eventually reach $100 or even $1,000.

Notably, at $1,000 per XRP, those holding just 500 tokens would have half a million dollars. While promising, there is no guarantee that XRP will reach this price level.

Ultimately,  Farina believes the future may be extremely rewarding for the small group of investors with the patience and foresight to maintain their positions.