XRP Overtakes Bitcoin in South Korea, Hits Wallet Highs as Clarity Act Vote Nears - May 2026

Key points

• •XRP has gained significant traction in South Korea, overtaking Bitcoin in trading volume on the Upbit exchange as of May 13, 2026, driven by a massive buying frenzy. This suggests a regional shift in investor preference, with local demand strongly favoring XRP over traditional leading cryptocurrencies.[TipRanks][Cryptonews.net][Benzinga][TipRanks]
• •The XRP Ledger reached an all-time high with 332,230 wallets and a record number of large holders by mid-May 2026, indicating increased adoption and accumulation by both retail and institutional investors. This growth in wallet numbers reflects widespread confidence and active participation in the XRP ecosystem.[MEXC Exchange][MEXC][MEXC][MEXC][MEXC]
• •Institutional interest in XRP has been confirmed by JPMorgan's reported use of the XRP Ledger to back its new treasury fund, illustrating XRP’s expanding role in traditional finance. Additionally, XRP-related ETFs have experienced massive inflows, including a record $1.35 billion ahead of a Senate vote and the largest inflow since January, pointing to robust market demand.[MEXC][Yahoo Finance][AOL.com][MEXC][MEXC]
• •Despite some price volatility with XRP prices slipping below $1.45, large XRP whale wallets hit record levels, signaling strong accumulation by major investors who may be positioning for future gains. Market data also shows XRP testing key resistance levels with potential for price doubling, highlighting bullish sentiment among traders.[AOL.com][Yahoo Finance][MEXC Exchange][MEXC][MEXC][crypto.news]
• •Regulatory developments are poised to significantly impact XRP’s valuation, with a banking systems engineer predicting a surge to $300 contingent on the passing of the Clarity Act. This expected regulatory clarity is viewed as a catalyst that could unlock substantial growth and market confidence in XRP.[MEXC][Bitget][MEXC]
• •Not all institutional moves on XRP have been positive; Evernorth reported a $389 million unrealized loss on an aggressive XRP bet, underscoring the asset’s volatile risk profile. This highlights that large investments in XRP can yield significant financial exposure in turbulent market conditions.[MEXC]
• •Coinbase’s decision in late April 2026 to rank XRP alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Gold marks an important milestone for the cryptocurrency, potentially boosting mainstream acceptance and institutional adoption of XRP in financial markets.[Yahoo Finance]
• •The combination of increased wallet activity, large ETF inflows, and institutional adoption suggests a strengthening ecosystem around XRP, with RippleNet services such as ODL and RLUSD expected to further drive global demand in 2026. This aligns with strategic efforts by Ripple Labs to expand XRP's global utility and adoption.[Phemex][Finbold][Finbold]

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