A cryptocurrency wallet is the major tool that assists one in accessing their cryptocurrency. Your cryptocurrency wallet is the gateway that holds your keys even if you are an everyday trader or just an investor. Nevertheless, you have always asked yourself: is crypto wallet safe? how to secure your crypto wallet for real?

The answer lies in this fact: The cryptocurrency wallet can indeed be secured. Yes, this is true. But, of course, only if we know how to use it and how to keep it secured. Therefore, in the following article, we are going to learn all about the wallet itself and how we can keep it safe from being hacked, in choosing the right and safest wallet for our use.

## So, Are Crypto Wallets Safe?

**Yes, crypto wallets are very secure if used properly, especially if you're using a hardware wallet or a reliable open-source software wallet.**  

The biggest risks are from poor operational security, not from the wallet technology. If you properly secure your wallet, it will remain one of the most secure crypto wallet you'll ever use.

What Makes Crypto Wallets Secure?
---------------------------------

The primary function of a crypto wallet is to protect one thing that is more important than everything else, and that one thing is your private keys. The keys are what give you ownership of your assets. Your crypto wallet does not hold your cryptocurrency; it holds keys that grant you access to cryptocurrency on the blockchain.

The main concepts that a crypto wallet security is based on are:

### Private Key Isolation

A safe crypto wallet keeps your private key secret from the outside world. This is achieved if you are using a hardware wallet, where the private key is never connected to the internet, minimizing the risk of viruses, phishing, and other external attacks. Even when you are using the private key to sign transactions, it is encrypted. 

### Strong Encryption & Seed Phrase Protection

The majority of the current day's wallets are based on strong encryption algorithms, and they have a backup in the form of a recovery phrase, also known as a seed phrase, which is only known to the end user. So, as long as this is not disclosed, you are the actual owner of the cryptocurrency. However, if this is lost, then your cryptocurrency is lost forever.

### Secure Transaction Signing

Before sending any of the cryptocurrencies, the wallet checks the transactions going out. In the case of safe wallets, this occurs in a safe environment; therefore, irrespective of the state of your device, your money cannot leave the wallet.

### Open-Source Code and Transparency

Some of the safest cryptocurrency wallets may also be open source. This means that anyone can view the source code of the program to ensure that there is no backdoor or any hidden intent behind the creation of the wallet.

### User-Level Security Practices

The best wallet available still depends on the person's habits. Having good passwords, using two-factor authentication, avoiding phishing sites, etc., all help to make the wallet secure. In the world of crypto, security is a shared responsibility.

The wallet can offer a very secure environment. The final level of security comes from good technology combined with good security habits.

Types of Crypto Wallets
-----------------------

Crypto wallets come in all shapes and sizes, offering a range of different convenience versus protection trade-offs. Understanding how each type works will make choosing one that suits your requirements easier.

### Hardware Wallets (Cold Wallets)

Hardware wallets are a cold storage means whereby your private keys are kept. As a result of their not being hooked to the internet, these provide even higher security levels than software wallets, safeguarding users against hacking, malware, and phishing attacks. The whales and long-term holders of any cryptocurrency will go for these above everything else.

### Software Wallets (Hot Wallets)

A software wallet is a type of crypto wallet that can be accessed through a phone or computer and is connected to the internet. They are convenient and, therefore, enable the user to access various DeFi services, ensuring ease in transactions. On the other hand, they have higher vulnerability to different cybersecurity risks.

### Web Wallets and Exchange Wallets

Many people store their cryptocurrency on exchanges or browser wallets. This solution avoids the complexity of dealing with private keys but sacrifices security, as the platform technically owns the cryptocurrency.

### Mobile Wallets

This, however, is a solution many people use when they store their cryptocurrency on exchanges or browser wallets. This avoids the complexity of private keys, but sacrifices the security, as technically, the platform owns the cryptocurrency. Mobile wallets are convenient and suitable for daily transactions and small transactions. They have good usability and medium security features, hence they are the most used wallet, especially by newcomers and traders.

### Paper Wallets

A paper wallet holds your private key or seed phrase in paper form. While paper wallets are completely offline, there is a risk of damage and loss. Proper storage is needed if you want to keep this option secure.

Each one has its pros and cons. The safest crypto wallet would be having more than one secure crypto wallet: one for storing your coins in the long run and another for making transactions.

Can Crypto Wallets Be Hacked?
-----------------------------

The cryptology wallet keeps information extremely secure; however, there is nothing completely secure that cannot be breached. The key factor to determine whether it is possible to hack a safe crypto wallet is situational, varying based on the context of the wallet environment and the individual.

### Hardware Wallets: Extremely Difficult to Hack

Hardware wallets provide the greatest level of security since the keys are never exposed to the internet. Hacks are uncommon, and the following circumstances are usually the cause:

-   Physical access to the device

-   A compromised recovery phrase

-   User error (phishing, fake firmware, etc.)

Hardware wallets can be one of the safest methods if used correctly.

### Software Wallets: More Convenient, More Exposure

Software wallets are operated on devices that are connected to the internet, thus providing potential attack points.

Software wallets can be attacked by:

-   malware

-   keyloggers

-   phishing attacks

-   counterfeit wallet apps

The wallet could be secure, but the device that it runs on may not be.

### Exchange Wallets: Secure but Not Fully Under Your Control

Centralized exchanges are highly secured, but an attacker could still target them. In case an exchange falls into an attacker's hands, users may not be able to access their holdings unless the exchange compensates them, which will not happen because the exchange holds the private keys and not the users. This shows users need to withdraw their holdings from the exchange and store them in a wallet.

### What Actually Gets Hacked?

The majority of "wallet hacks" are not an attack on cryptographic technology, but rather a result of:

-   stolen seed phrases

-   phishing sites

-   malicious browser extensions

-   social engineering

-   exposure of the recovery phrase through cloud backups

In almost all instances, the attack is on the user, not the blockchain or wallet algorithms.

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The cryptocurrency wallet can indeed be secured. Yes, this is true. But, of course, only if we know how to use it and how to keep it secured. 

How Secure Are Crypto Wallets?

[Ethereum](https://exolix.com/currencies/eth){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"} is one of the most held and influential cryptocurrencies globally, used for various applications such as DeFi, Staking, NFTs, L2 ecosystems, and many more. With the continued scaling of the Ethereum network through rollups and institutional investments, the question on everyone's mind is the same: Who are the largest ETH holders in 2026?

The top Ethereum holders can be used to understand various factors such as:

-   The distribution of ETH

-   The entities with the largest liquidity pools

-   The impact of Staking, Rollups, and ETFs on the supply of ETH

-   The number of ETH held by individuals compared to institutions

In this article, we will be discussing Ethereum holders and how many people own Ethereum in 2026, including Staking Contracts, Exchanges, Financial Institutions, Public Goods, Governments, and Individuals.

[![usdt-to-eth.png](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/usdt_to_eth_34b3ce6fd0.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/eth){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

Summary: Who Owns the Most ETH in 2026
--------------------------------------

So, who owns Ethereum at all? The Ethereum landscape has changed dramatically since the merge, and the ETH distribution pattern shows a combination of staking dominance, institutional investment, and multi-chain adoption.

| Rank | Entity                                     | ETH Tokens Owned | USD Value       | Supply %     |
| ---- | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------- | --------------- | ------------ |
| 1    | Eth2 Beacon Deposit Contract (0x000)       | 77,186,906       | $241.39B        | 63.23%       |
| 2    | Binance                                    | 4,158,880        | $13.07B         | 3.45%        |
| 3    | BlackRock                                  | 3,418,102        | $10.74B         | 2.83%        |
| 4    | Coinbase                                   | 2,904,924        | $8.99B          | 2.4%         |
| 5    | Bitmine                                    | 2,853,019 (4.1M) | $8.97B ($12.8B) | 2.36% (3.4%) |
| 6    | Wrapped Ether (WETH) (0xC02)               | 2,580,623        | $8.11B          | 2.14%        |
| 7    | Upbit                                      | 1,518,654        | $4.77B          | 1.26%        |
| 8    | Robinhood                                  | 1,490,422        | $4.68B          | 1.23%        |
| 9    | OKX                                        | 1,081,814        | $3.4B           | 0.90%        |
| 10   | Kraken                                     | 1,080,100        | $3.4B           | 0.89%        |
| 11   | Bitfinex                                   | 776,943          | $2.44B          | 0.64%        |
| 12   | Arbitrum                                   | 769,819          | $2.42B          | 0.64%        |
| 13   | Base                                       | 736,840          | $2.32B          | 0.61%        |
| 14   | Gemini                                     | 525,693          | $1.65B          | 0.44%        |
| 15   | Grayscale                                  | 520,312          | $1.64B          | 0.43%        |
| 16   | 0xE92d1A43df510F82C66382592a047d288f85226f | 450,118          | $1.41B          | 0.37%        |
| 17   | Bybit                                      | 388,839          | $1.22B          | 0.32%        |
| 18   | Fidelity Custody                           | 368,553          | $1.16B          | 0.31%        |
| 19   | 0xcA8Fa8f0b631EcdB18Cda619C4Fc9d197c8aFfCa | 325,000          | $1.02B          | 0.27%        |
| 20   | Polkadot                                   | 306,277          | $962.72M        | 0.25%        |


The most significant findings for 2026 are as follows:

-   The ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract is the largest ETH holder, with over 76 million ETH staked, which is over 60% of the total supply.

-   The exchanges hold millions of ETH collectively, as they provide trading, liquidity, and staking services for their users.

-   Rain Lohmus is still the largest individual ETH holder (250K ETH), but he doesn't have access to his wallet.

-   Vitalik Buterin is the largest individual holder who has active access to his ETH, with ~240K ETH.

-   Financial institutions like BlackRock are now among the largest holders because of the growth in Ethereum ETFs.

-   Ethereum treasury companies like Bitmine hold multi-billion-dollar ETH reserves.

-   Governments, including the US government, accumulate ETH through seizures.

Ethereum rollups like Arbitrum and Base hold substantial ETH reserves in their native bridges, which is an essential metric for L2 adoption.

The Largest ETH Holder in 2026: The Beacon Deposit Contract
-----------------------------------------------------------

The largest holder of Ethereum in the world is not a person, exchange, or institution -- it is the ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract. The ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract is a smart contract that holds the ETH deposited for securing the Ethereum network through Proof-of-Stake.

As of 2026, the Beacon Deposit Contract holds:

-   76 million+ ETH, worth over $240 billion

-   Approximately 63% of the total circulating supply

This smart contract holds the collective deposits of validators who stake ETH as collateral to validate and finalize blocks. No individual holds control over this ETH -- it is completely controlled by the protocol.

### Why So Much ETH Is Locked in Staking

There are various reasons that contribute to this enormous concentration:

-   Ethereum's security model necessitates validators to stake ETH.

-   Staking yields provide a guarantee of return for long-term investors.

-   Many exchanges and liquid staking platforms hold ETH deposits on their customers' behalf.

-   Institutions are increasingly adopting staking as a long-term investment strategy.

The dominance of the Beacon Deposit Contract is a good representation of how central staking is to Ethereum's utility and value structure. This is why liquid staking tokens have come to represent one of the biggest sectors in the crypto space.

Exchanges: The Largest Institutional Holders of Ethereum
--------------------------------------------------------

The centralized exchanges are some of the biggest ETH holders in 2026 due to their support of global trading, custody, and staking services for millions of users worldwide. With the continued support of the Ethereum network as the backbone of DeFi and Web3, the exchanges must hold large reserves of ETH to facilitate the smooth experience of users.

-   The largest holder of ETH among the exchanges is Binance, with more than 4 million ETH, which is equivalent to $13 billion in assets. This is due to the support of users across hundreds of jurisdictions worldwide. Therefore, the reserves of ETH held by the exchange are a result of the large trading volumes as well as the demand for staking services among users.

-   The second-largest holder of ETH is Coinbase, with 2.9 million ETH, which is equivalent to $9 billion in assets. This is due to the support of various institutional accounts, user accounts, as well as the staking of ETH through cbETH. As the most heavily regulated entity in the US, the exchange is the gateway for institutional ETH users.

-   In Asia, Upbit is notable for holding nearly 1.5 million ETH, one of the largest reserves in the region. Additionally, the exchange provides an active trading market for ETH and staking services.

While the ETH reserves held by these exchanges are considerable, it is worth noting that these assets do not belong to the exchanges themselves. Instead, they are the aggregate holdings of millions of users who utilize these platforms to hold, trade, and stake their ETH. What the exchanges do is act as custodians to guarantee that the global ETH market is liquid and accessible.

Public Goods & Protocol-Level Holders of Ethereum
-------------------------------------------------

In addition to these exchanges and institutions, there are several significant Ethereum addresses that represent public goods, which are components of the infrastructure that help secure the network, allow for multi-chain interactions, or help facilitate key technical processes. These addresses do not have any one person controlling the funds. They hold the ETH on behalf of the ecosystem.

-   One of the most significant addresses is the Wrapped Ether (WETH) contract, which holds over 2.6 million ETH. WETH is critical to the DeFi ecosystem, as it wraps the native ETH into a standardized ERC-20 token that is compatible with decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, and other on-chain applications. The ETH in this contract represents the amount of WETH that has been minted across the ecosystem, which is constantly in motion as the liquidity in the DeFi ecosystem fluctuates.

-   Ethereum's L2 networks also contribute to the high ETH concentrations. One such prominent optimistic rollup is Arbitrum, which has more than 770,000 ETH in its native bridge. In this case, the users deposit the ETH into the Arbitrum bridge contract and then mint the bridged ETH on the L2 network. This allows the users to take part in high-speed and low-cost transactions. The amount of ETH in the Arbitrum bridge is a clear representation of the level of adoption that the network has reached.

-   The same case applies to Base, which is an optimistic rollup that is backed by Coinbase. Base has approximately 736,000 ETH locked in its gateway bridge. In this case, the ETH is deposited into the bridge contract and then used to mint the equivalent amount on the L2 network.

The role that these protocol-level addresses play is critical. They are used for staking deposits, wrapped assets, DeFi liquidity, and the transfer of ETH between the expanding rollup network. Unlike other addresses that are used by individuals and institutions, these addresses play a crucial role in supporting millions of users.

Financial Institutions: ETFs, Treasuries, and Corporate Holders of ETH
----------------------------------------------------------------------

As the Ethereum ecosystem grows, conventional financial institutions have become some of the largest holders of Ether. This has been further fueled by the approval of Ethereum-based exchange-traded products, which require these companies to hold large amounts of Ether in custody. This is a significant change from the early days of the cryptocurrency ecosystem, in which institutional investment in Ethereum was negligible.

-   BlackRock. Institutional fund BlackRock has become one of the largest holders of Ether in 2026. Through its Ethereum trust and ETF products, BlackRock manages over 3.4 million Ether, or approximately $11 billion based on current Ether values. This is used to support the iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which enables investors to gain exposure to Ether without the need for managing keys or on-chain activities. As the need for cryptocurrency investment products increases, ETF issuers continue to accumulate Ether at large scales.

-   Bitmine. Another significant player in the Ethereum treasury space is Bitmine, an Ethereum treasury management firm that essentially does the same as MicroStrategy in the [Bitcoin](https://exolix.com/currencies/btc) ecosystem. Bitmine has 2.8 million ETH verified on-chain, with a total claimed treasury of around 4.1 million ETH, which translates to more than $12 billion. Their aim is to accumulate 5% of the total ETH supply, which is an unprecedented approach for a crypto treasury strategy.

Government Holdings: Ethereum Seizures and Custodied Assets
-----------------------------------------------------------

Government institutions have also shown up as unexpected and largest Ethereum holders and not by design. Most of the largest Ethereum held by governments has been seized as a result of criminal investigations, hacking cases, or asset forfeiture. This is usually a temporary holding until the ETH is auctioned or redistributed, but it still shows up in the on-chain distribution.

In 2026, the United States government is one of the most prominent public institutions holding ETH. It holds about 64,700 ETH, worth over $240 million, in several known wallets. This ETH was seized from high-profile cases such as:

-   darknet marketplaces

-   fraud and theft cases

-   major crypto hacks

Some of the ETH is held for legal purposes, while other amounts are transferred to the U.S. Marshals Service for liquidation. While governments do not actively accumulate or stake Ethereum, their on-chain presence is still among the largest known holdings.

Major Individual ETH Holders in 2026
------------------------------------

A small number of people hold large amounts of Ethereum, although the total of this is much less than the total of the staking contracts or exchanges.

-   Rain Lohmus. The largest individual holder is Rain Lohmus, who was an early investor in the presale of Ethereum, holding 250,000 ETH. However, he is unable to access the private keys to the wallet, which means the funds are unrecoverable.

-   Vitalik Buterin. The most well-known active individual holder is Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, who holds 240,000 ETH. This is publicly known, although he does use the funds to support the ecosystem.

The other early contributors and the participants in the presale own large amounts, although no one has anything close to the scale of the staking contracts, financial institutions, or the exchange reserves. While the individual contributors played an important role in the early days of Ethereum's distribution, the Ethereum network today is primarily institutional and protocol-level and staking-driven.

[![usdt-to-eth.png](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/usdt_to_eth_34b3ce6fd0.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/eth){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

Stolen Funds and Hacker-Controlled ETH Addresses
------------------------------------------------

A portion of Ethereum's total supply resides in addresses linked to some of the most infamous hacks and exploits in its history. Although these addresses do not stake or transact, they remain some of the largest ETH known holders.

One of the most well-known addresses is the Gatecoin hacker, which possesses more than 156,000 ETH stolen in the infamous exchange hack in 2016. Several other large addresses are linked to DeFi hackers, exchange hackers, and private key thieves from the early days of the ecosystem, which was less secure.

### Examples of major hacker-controlled ETH wallets:

-   Gatecoin Hacker Wallet - 156K+ ETH

-   Legacy Exchange Exploit Wallets - From Early Centralized Exchange Compromises

-   DeFi Protocol Exploiters - From Smart Contract Exploits During Early Experimentation Period

-   Private Key Compromise Addresses - Inactive to Avoid Traceability

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Who are the largest ETH holders in 2026? Let's Find out it including Staking Contracts, Exchanges, Financial Institutions, Public Goods, Governments, and Individuals.

Top ETH Holders 2026: Who Owns the Most Ethereum?

While the world of blockchains still struggles with scalability and developer usability, [Hathor (HTR)](https://exolix.com/currencies/htr){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"} is a network that is future proof to streamline the process of building blockchains and tokenizing assets. Hathor Network is a Layer-1 blockchain that leverages blockchain and Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) technology in a hybrid system that is high-volume transaction capable without compromising security and decentralization.

Its lifeblood is HTR crypto which propels transactions, network security, and simple generation of customized tokens. With no need to write a lot of smart contracts, Hathor coin enables users to create scalable blockchain apps with minimal coding experience - a hallmark that makes it differ from the best-known digital currencies available today.

[![htr-swap.png](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/htr_swap_2dd7864ed9.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/htr){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

What Is Hathor Coin (HTR)?
---------------------------

Hathor coin (HTR) is the native cryptocurrency for the Hathor blockchain. It serves as a payment for transaction fees, mining reward, and exchange medium for the ecosystem.

Amongst all the characteristics that distinguish Hathor, token issuance simplicity is particularly noteworthy. In contrast to a majority of smart contract blockchains, Hathor natively supports issuing new tokens without an extra cost beyond network charges. Such an arrangement provides prospects to developers and organizations for issuing digital assets, NFTs, or rewards programs securely and easily.

### Key Features of HTR Coin

-   Native token creation: Native in-chain token generation without smart contracts or code.

-   Hybrid DAG-blockchain architecture: Merges DAG for transactional performance and blockchain for security and ultimate finality.

-   Low-energy, high-performance: Built for enterprise and mass adoption at scale.

-   Energy-efficient mining: Merged mining on [Bitcoin](https://exolix.com/currencies/btc), allowing for improved security with minimal levels of energy consumption.

The outcome is a scalable, energy-aware blockchain ecosystem where HTR  crypto encourages innovation and mass-scale adoption.

How Does Hathor Network Work
----------------------------

### Hybrid Blockchain and DAG Architecture

The hybrid architecture of Hathor Network is likely its most innovative aspect. It uses blockchain for security nodes and DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph) for parallelized transaction processing at high speeds.

-   Blockchain Layer: Ensures immutability and anchors all transactions in a secure record.

-   DAG Layer: Allows more than one transaction to be processed simultaneously, making it scalable and unclogged.

By using the hybrid model, Hathor is capable of processing thousands of transactions per second and can be feasible for retail and enterprise use.

### Consensus Mechanism

Hathor  coin employs a Proof-of-Work (PoW) algorithm merge-mineable with Bitcoin so that miners can lock blocks in both chains at the same time. This presents Hathor with another level of security without extra computational resources - a cheap and environmentally friendly way of network protection.

### Use and Purpose of HTR  Crypto

HTR token has some of the key functions in the Hathor ecosystem:

-   Transaction Charges: All transactions, token transfers, and NFT creation are token-locked using HTR for transaction confirmation.

-   Mining Incentives: Miners are rewarded for network security using HTR through merged mining.

-   Token Economy: HTR balances token issuance by issuing new tokens through temporary locking of HTR.

-   Governance: Decentralized HTR holder governance must control subsequent protocol updates and ecosystem decisions.

By combining these utilities, Hathor is constructing HTR  crypto as a value-carrying digital asset instead of a speculative token - encouraging long-term sustainability and real value.

Hathor's Ecosystem and Use Cases
--------------------------------

The Hathor Network has the ability to reward developers and businesses by offering a scalable and multi-use platform for a variety of blockchain use cases.

### 1\. Tokenization Simplified

Tokens or NFTs can be issued by users on the network without the requirement of programming. It is especially useful for startups, gaming companies, and small entities looking to quickly issue tokens.

### 2\. Decentralized Applications (dApps)

Developers have the ability to create dApps that are able to leverage Hathor's scalability and lower transaction fees. The network includes fintech, gaming, and supply chain project natively supported.

### 3\. Digital Assets and Payments

HTR  crypto supports rapid peer-to-peer transfers with a low fee and is hence ideal for micropayments and remittances.

### 4\. Merged Mining

Support for Bitcoin mining gives dual-chain rewards and is thus appealing to efficiency- and security-conscious miners.

These utilities are just an example of Hathor's vision - an easy, scalable blockchain network for the world.

[![htr-swap.png](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/htr_swap_2dd7864ed9.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/htr){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

Hathor's Team and Development
-----------------------------

Hathor  coin was established by Marcelo Brogliato, formerly a distributed systems and cryptography researcher. Hathor launched in January 2021 after working on testnet for years. The project was different because the team's focus had been on usability and scalability as it was a "blockchain made easy" platform.

Hathor Foundation governs ecosystem development, partnerships, and governance. It remains actively supporting developer grants and community projects to drive network adoption.

### HTR Coin Price and Market Performance

HTR  coin  price has gone through typical market volatility since its launch, as could be expected of the general sentiment of the cryptocurrency market. Although initial volatility was confined by the trajectory of Bitcoin prices, HTR has remained robust by showing sustained network growth and growing token usage.

HTR  coin is listed on many large exchanges, and its worth is supported by its use-case-oriented approach - having the ability to facilitate real-world tokenization and dApp building. Its hybrid architecture is termed a long-term Layer-1 distinction by analysts.

HTR  crypto is still a mid-cap project with solid fundamentals, growing community, and rising integrations within Web3 infrastructure as of 2025.

### What Makes Hathor (HTR) Unique?

-   User-Friendly Blockchain: Makes blockchain accessible to users and business organizations alike.

-   Energy Efficiency: Bitcoin mining focus is energetically wasteful consumption-neutral.

-   Native Tokenization: Tokenizable smart contract-free token design gives Hathor a competitive edge.

-   Scalable Hybrid Model: Blockchain-DAG hybrid enables lightning-speed, economical transactions.

-   Powerful Developer Tools: Intrinsic support for token bridges, atomic swaps, and side-DAGs.

Hathor coin usability and scalability position it in the minority of Layer-1 blockchains that have achieved such a balance between innovation and usability, a midpoint in the fast-changing crypto landscape.

### Hathor Future and Roadmap

Network utility guiding partnerships and ecosystem integrations by the Hathor Foundation continue. The development priorities are now:

-   Cross-chain compatibility, enabling Hathor to bridge with other blockchains.

-   More extensive developer SDKs, integration into existing Web3 infrastructure to be simple.

-   DeFi and NFT growth, value proposition to HTR as a foundation asset for decentralized networks.

-   New tokenomics frameworks, setting long-term stability and incentivization for communities.

With a well-researched ethos and increasing interoperability focus, Hathor (HTR) is poised for long-term adoption and growth in the years to come.

Hathor's Role in the Future of Blockchain
-----------------------------------------

Hathor (HTR) is the future of blockchain convenience in that it is user-friendly, scalable, and sustainable without sacrificing decentralization. Its low-fee transaction model, merged mining, and native token creation are what make it so convenient and powerful for enterprise and individual users.

As companies look to harness blockchain more broadly, Hathor  coin (HTR) provides a high-performing, high-performing, and sustainable alternative to clunky networks. By narrowing the gap between high performance and accessibility, Hathor is revolutionizing the standard for blockchain solutions - demonstrating that innovation does not have to sacrifice simplicity.

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Hathor coin (HTR) is the native cryptocurrency for the Hathor blockchain. It serves as a payment for transaction fees, mining reward, and exchange medium for the ecosystem.

What Is Hathor (HTR)?

[Axelar (AXL)](https://exolix.com/currencies/axl){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, also known as Axelar Network, is a decentralized interoperability network. This network has been created with the sole purpose of connecting various blockchain systems, thus enabling seamless communication, transfer of assets, and execution of smart contracts. With the crypto space growing and various blockchain systems, including [Ethereum](https://exolix.com/currencies/eth){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, [Cosmos](https://exolix.com/currencies/atom){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, [Avalanche](https://exolix.com/currencies/avax){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, [BNB](https://exolix.com/currencies/bnb){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, [Polygon](https://exolix.com/currencies/matic){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, [Optimism](https://exolix.com/currencies/op){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, [Arbitrum](https://exolix.com/currencies/arb){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}, and many more, emerging independently, the need for a cross-chain infrastructure has never been more significant. Axelar has come up with a unique message passing layer, along with a decentralized validator set and cryptography, to solve this problem.

The AXL crypto token is used for security, governance, and transaction fees, and cross-chain operations. With the increasing adoption of Axelar coin by dApps, bridges, and wallets, Axelar has emerged as a leading interoperability network in the blockchain space.

This article will delve into the functionality of Axelar coin, the creator of Axelar bridge, what makes Axelar unique, the functionality of the AXL crypto token under the new tokenomics, and the comparison of Axelar with other cross-chain systems.

[![axl-swap.png](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/axl_swap_51e572cfa9.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/axl){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

How Does Axelar (AXL) Work?
---------------------------

Axelar functions as a decentralized interoperability network that enables different blockchains and applications to communicate with each other. Rather than using conventional bridges that frequently depend on centralized custody or multisig solutions, Axelar coin has designed a trust-minimized, validator-secured messaging layer that can facilitate the transfer of assets, the execution of cross-chain smart contracts, and the synchronization of application state between different blockchain networks.

In other words, Axelar coin can be considered the "internet layer" for blockchains, allowing any blockchain to communicate with any other blockchain through a standardized communication framework.

### 1\. Gateway Contracts: The Entry and Exit Points

Each blockchain connected to Axelar crypto has a gateway smart contract, which is used to communicate messages between chains. When a user or dApp wants to send a transfer or a cross-chain command, the following happens:

-   Chain A sends a request to its gateway

-   The gateway locks, burns, or registers an event

-   The event is verified by Axelar validators

-   Chain B's gateway performs the corresponding operation

This gateway model provides consistency between chains without forcing them to change their consensus logic.

### 2\. Validator-Secured Cross-Chain Consensus

Axelar is constructed as a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system, which means that the validators are required to stake AXL coin in order to secure the network. Their tasks include:

-   event verification on source chains

-   voting and achieving consensus on cross-chain messages

-   authorization of execution on destination chains

If the validators act in a malicious manner, they can be slashed. This economic security system is much more robust than the centralized bridges, which are secured by a group of signers.

### 3\. Universal Message-Passing Layer

The most important innovation of Axelar coin is its general message passing, which enables developers to create cross-chain applications without having to create bridges between blockchains individually. This enables complex interactions such as:

-   Minting an NFT on Polygon, triggered by a contract on Ethereum

-   Executing a swap on Avalanche, initiated by a wallet on Cosmos

-   Sending governance instructions across multiple blockchains

-   Conducting multi-chain airdrops and automated strategies

Developers can deploy their applications everywhere by simply developing once.

### 4\. Axelar Virtual Machine (AVM)

AVM, which was created to increase programmability on AXL coin, enables developers to use existing smart contract tooling to create cross-chain logic. Applications built on top of the AVM can:

-   orchestrate complex workflows across numerous chains

-   optimize the routing of liquidity

-   deploy smart contracts that operate on multiple chains with unified logic

-   automate bridging and settlement

This means that AXL coin is no longer just an interoperability layer, but a programmable one.

### 5\. Axelar Bridge for Asset Transfers

For users, Axelar crypto provides a simple and intuitive bridge interface. Behind the scenes:

-   assets are locked or burned on the source chain

-   validators verify the event

-   assets are minted or released on the destination chain

The main difference is security, which is provided by Axelar's PoS validator network to mitigate risks typically found in multisig Axelar bridge.

### 6\. Developer and Application Integration

Axelar crypto can be integrated directly with dApps, wallets, and DeFi protocols through SDK and API support, which enables:

-   seamless cross-chain swaps

-   liquidity routing

-   unified UX for multi-chain platforms

-   native support inside wallets and ecosystems

By providing abstraction from cross-chain complexity, Axelar enables developers to focus on product logic rather than interoperability engineering.

Who Created Axelar?
-------------------

Axelar was started by Sergey Gorbunov and Georgios Vlachos, two of the earliest contributors to the Algorand blockchain and experts in cryptography and distributed systems. The experience of developing secure consensus protocols for blockchain networks has greatly influenced AXL coin development as a trust-minimized and interoperable network rather than a bridge.

Axelar was incubated by MIT alumni and researchers, providing it with solid foundations and a focus on verifiable security models. The early development of Axelar has been aided by collaboration with some of the best blockchain engineers, cryptographers, and protocol developers in the industry.

AXL crypto has received funding from some of the best venture capital funds in the industry, including:

-   Polychain Capital

-   Dragonfly Capital

-   North Island Ventures

-   Galaxy Digital

The Axelar bridge launched in 2022, and it has quickly grown to become one of the most integrated cross-chain networks in the industry. The original vision of Axelar is still relevant today: to create a unified Web3 ecosystem where applications can work seamlessly across any blockchain without any fragmentation or trust issues.

What Makes Axelar Unique?
-------------------------

What makes AXL crypto unique in the interoperability space is that it provides a decentralized, programmable, and developer-friendly cross-chain communication layer. Unlike most traditional blockchain bridges, which are based on a centralized signing process or isolated connectivity between blockchains, Axelar bridge is designed to create a general framework that is capable of connecting any blockchain with any other blockchain.

### A Decentralized Security Model

Most blockchain bridges are based on a multisig wallet or validator set, which is a single point of failure. Axelar crypto , on the other hand, uses a Proof-of-Stake validator network, where dozens of independent validators are used to secure message passing, thus greatly reducing the risk and aligning with the security standards of L1 blockchains.

### Generalized Message Passing

However, Axelar crypto does not just stop at moving assets. It allows apps to transfer arbitrary data between blockchains, which means that it will be possible to do:

-   Cross-Chain Governance

-   Multi-Chain Smart Contract Execution

-   Decentralized Exchanges that work across multiple chains

-   Unified User Interfaces for Multi-Chain Apps

Developers will be able to deploy a single app that will work across many chains, without having to re-code it to work on each chain individually.

### Programmability Through the Axelar Virtual Machine

With the AVM, Axelar crypto makes the programmability of the interoperability layer possible. This will enable protocols to include advanced automation, routing, and multi-chain capabilities that were not feasible before.

### Broad and Growing Ecosystem Support

Axelar crypto is compatible with dozens of blockchains like Ethereum, Avalanche, Cosmos, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Fantom, and many more. This makes Axelar one of the most interconnected networks in Web3. It is also a part of various DeFi, NFT, gaming, and Web3 infrastructure projects.

### A Unified User and Developer Experience

AXL crypto helps to overcome the fragmented nature of Web3 through:

-   a single integration path for developers

-   standardized connectivity to all major chains

-   consistent UX, regardless of the network used

This makes multi-chain development a streamlined process, rather than a complex engineering challenge.

The AXL Token and New Tokenomics
--------------------------------

The AXL coin is the native asset of the Axelar Network and plays a crucial role in the security, governance, and cross-chain functionality of the Axelar Network. As Axelar continues to develop and improve its interoperability capabilities, especially with the Axelar Virtual Machine, the AXL token's economic model has evolved to ensure long-term sustainability and network adoption.

### Core Functions of the AXL Coin

#### 1\. Network Security (Staking & Validation)

The Axelar Network's Proof of Stake model requires users to stake their AXL tokens to participate in the network's consensus mechanism. The amount of AXL staked by users determines their voting power in validating cross-chain messages. Any malicious activity will result in the user losing their AXL tokens. This creates a direct relationship between the network and the economic incentives of the users.

#### 2\. Gas Fees & Cross-Chain Operations

The AXL tokens are used to pay for transactions within the network, including executing cross-chain messages, executing gateway logic, deploying AVM contracts, and computing multi-chain functions. This makes AXL the economic fuel of the Axelar Network.

#### 3\. Governance and Protocol Upgrades

AXL token holders also contribute to the decentralized nature of Axelar network, voting on the direction of the network's development. These voting decisions could include the addition of new chains, parameter changes, feature upgrades, or changes in cross-chain routing. This ensures the network's longevity and reliability as a neutral piece of public infrastructure.

### New Tokenomics Model

Tokenomics have also been greatly improved, making Axelar token, AXL, more useful and increasing its long-term viability. Inflation will gradually decrease, focusing on sustainable growth while continuing to incentivize validators. AXL rewards will continue to increase their reliance on network usage, and the Axelar Virtual Machine will create further demand for AXL. New fee capture methods will also ensure AXL benefits from the increasing cross-chain traffic within the network.

### Long-Term Value Proposition

With more and more blockchains and decentralized applications utilizing Axelar's cross-chain technology, the demand for AXL crypto will continue to rise. AXL is used for deploying AVM programs, for cross-chain execution fees, and for validators who stake their AXL tokens.

Where to Buy Axelar (AXL)?
--------------------------

Axelar (AXL) is listed on a broad range of centralized as well as decentralized platforms. This means users have several ways to access the asset. With the growth of Axelar's interoperability network, the liquidity of AXL crypto is increasing on the top ecosystems.

[![axl-swap.png](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/axl_swap_51e572cfa9.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/axl){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

The majority of users will get their Axelar (AXL) through centralized exchanges. This is because they are usually the most accessible option. Centralized exchanges support fiat deposits, card purchases, bank transfers, as well as crypto-to-crypto transactions. These are the best option for new users.

However, users who want to use decentralized swaps to get their Axelar (AXL) will have an option. These are platforms that do not require users to create an account, nor do they require any KYC verification. The platforms will enable users to make direct swaps between their wallets. This means users will not have to share their personal information.

In addition to this, AXL can also be found on various decentralized exchanges (DEXs) that support chains that have integrated Axelar. This helps users to buy AXL coin while at the same time retaining full control over their private keys and being able to interact with smart contracts directly.

In order to make it easier for users to understand how to go about buying AXL crypto, here are some of the most common ways to go about it:

-   Centralized exchanges (CEXs): Best option for beginners and those who prefer high liquidity trades

-   Non-custodial swap platforms: Quick and private swaps to personal wallets

-   Decentralized exchanges: On-chain trades for those who prefer to retain full wallet control.

Regardless of the method chosen, it is imperative that the buyer ensures that their wallet supports AXL crypto on the correct network. This is due to the fact that Axelar supports multiple ecosystems, and therefore, the correct chain must be chosen to ensure secure transfers and prevent loss.

Axelar Comparison: Advantages & Disadvantages
---------------------------------------------

Axelar's place in the interoperability ecosystem is special in that it provides a more decentralized and programmable solution compared to traditional bridges. Nevertheless, like all infrastructure protocols, Axelar has its pros and cons. This helps in understanding the advantages that Axelar coin provides compared to other technologies in space.

### Advantages of Axelar

#### 1\. A Truly Decentralized Security Model

Most cross-chain bridges use a system of multisignature custodians, small validator groups, or even centralized operators. Axelar, on the other hand, uses a Proof-of-Stake validator network, which provides more economic security in the verification of messages.

#### 2\. Generalized Cross-Chain Messaging

Axelar is not just limited to the transfer of tokens. It is a universal message passing system that allows applications to communicate with each other across chains at the smart contract level. It is possible to create dApps that work seamlessly with Ethereum, Cosmos, Avalanche, Polygon, and more without the need for separate bridges.

#### 3\. Axelar Virtual Machine (AVM)

AVM enables programmability on the interoperability layer, and this enables the capability for complex logic such as multi-chain orchestration, routing, etc., which cannot be performed on most bridges or interoperability protocols.

#### 4\. Broad Ecosystem Integration

With support for dozens of blockchains, Axelar has one of the largest integration networks in the Web3 world, and DeFi platforms, wallets, DEXs, and NFTs are actively using Axelar to unite their multi-chain experiences.

### Disadvantages of Axelar

#### 1\. Higher Complexity for Developers New to Multi-Chain Architecture

Although Axelar greatly eases the development of cross-chain applications, there are some additional design and testing aspects to be considered for multi-chain dApps compared to single-chain dApps.

#### 2\. Network Fees for Cross-Chain Messages

Since Axelar supports verification and execution across various blockchain platforms, cross-chain transactions are more costly compared to single-chain transactions. However, they are competitive compared to other decentralized interoperability alternatives.

#### 3\. Dependency on Gateway Contracts

There are gateway contracts for every blockchain network used. In case of congestion, latency, or execution limits in the native environment of a blockchain, cross-chain operations might be impacted.

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The AXL crypto token is used for security, governance, and transaction fees, and cross-chain operations.

What Is Axelar (AXL)? 

One of the most important milestones in the history of cryptocurrency and its regulations came with the prolonged legal battle between Ripple Labs and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors awaited clear news, and the digital world watched with interest, and finally, after half a decade of uncertainty and legal issues, the XRP SEC case has come to an end.

This is a [XRP](https://exolix.com/currencies/xrp){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"} lawsuit update , whereby we discuss the final state of this lawsuit, why the SEC cannot press similar charges, and what this means for the future of XRP in 2026.

How the XRP Legal Case Began
----------------------------

In December 2020, the SEC filed a lawsuit against Ripple Labs for selling XRP as an unregistered security. Immediately, this case shook up XRP's price, listings on some prominent exchanges, and the overall sentiment among investors.

During the ensuing years, the litigation underwent significant development in several ways:

-   In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled XRP is not a security, particularly if it's traded on public markets or through exchanges.

-   It also found that certain specific institutional sales by Ripple might, under U.S. law, have constituted securities transactions.

The Case Officially Concludes in 2025
-------------------------------------

After several other filings, hearings, and settlement discussions, the case entered its final phase in 2025. Both Ripple and the SEC agreed to dismiss their appeals in the XRP case update, which brought closure to the primary case. At the present moment, there are no other cases filed in court, the rulings from Judge Torres remain final.

This is the first time that the XRP community can be certain about anything since the original filing in 2020: The main XRP Lawsuit is finally closed.

### What Ripple Agreed to Settle

However, whereas XRP was not considered a security, certain institutional sales were deemed to qualify as a security. In its decision, the court pointed out these institutional sales. This case was settled, owing to the costs of an appeal's lengthy process. The total settlement fine was less for Ripple compared to what the SEC had initially sought.

What the Ruling Means for XRP Today
-----------------------------------

The legal dispute settlement has several significant implications pertaining to the XRP ecosystem:

1\. XRP Is Not a Security in Public Markets. By far the most impactful effect is the court's clear and definitive stance that, traded on the exchanges, XRP is not a security. This eliminates the principal cause of trading confusion and enables exchanges, payment systems, and institutions to view and treat XRP like any normal currency.

2\. Institutional Uncertainty Is Gone. Banks, payment companies, and enterprise clients can now seamlessly integrate XRP into their systems without debating its status. This sets the stage for the adoption of more of Ripple's enterprise offerings.

3\. Finality Boosts Market Confidence. Therefore, in response to the question "when will XRP lawsuit end" posed by investors, it is vital to note that the XRP court case update reveals that the case is over, and it is done with finality, since there are no further actions that can be taken by the SEC.

A New Era for XRP
-----------------

After years of legal uncertainty, Ripple case updates of 2026 prove that the cloud has finally cleared. Hence, SEC XRP case shows that the position of Ripple coin in the global markets is more secure than it has been in years, since there is no longer a threat of fresh litigation. Ripple is still adding new partners and settling into international space.

Finally, after this legal chapter, XRP is now ready to move on to its next chapter, and for this, it has gained clarity, credibility, and momentum.

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Ripple (XRP) lawsuit update, the final state of this lawsuit, why the SEC cannot press similar charges, and what this means for the future of XRP in 2026. 

XRP Lawsuit Update: Current Status

[XRP](https://exolix.com/currencies/xrp){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"} has remained one of the most held cryptocurrencies around the globe, amassing a strong community, partnerships with institutions, and being listed in the top digital assets by market capitalization for a long period of time. While interest in XRP has been growing all along, especially given recent regulatory developments and global adoption milestones-a number of investors have come up with questions about how many people own XRP, how holdings are distributed, and what the latest XRP Rich List shows about ownership concentration.

With on-chain data, while exact ownership numbers cannot be measured with complete certainty, it gives a clear picture of how XRP wealth is distributed and how the global holder base has changed going into 2026, as wallets cannot be equated to individuals.

[![xrp to usdt swap](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/xrp_to_usdt_6f926364c9.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/xrp){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"}

Understanding XRP Ownership in 2026
-----------------------------------

Before dissecting the XRP rich list in detail, it is important to note that the definition of ownership has to be understood first. Like other digital currencies across the globe, XRP uses a system based on wallet addresses rather than user accounts. A user can have multiple wallets, while a wallet can belong to thousands of people across different exchanges.

For that reason, ownership estimates are based on three measures:

-   The distribution of on-chain wallets - how many people own XRP in the world and how many is distributed across addresses

-   Exchange custodies: large wallet balances can be the sum of balances of many people

-   Ecosystem participation data - wallets interacting with staking, transfers, payments, etc.

These sources, when viewed collectively, provide a realistic view of the widespread nature of XRP ownership and the locations of large stores of wealth.

Currently, as of 2026, XRP remains to be among the most distributed cryptocurrencies in the world with millions of its addresses holding some amount of XRP. This range of XRP holders includes retail investors, long-term supporters, as well as institutions exploring payment use cases.

How Many People Own XRP Globally?
---------------------------------

Determining the total number of XRP holders remains impossible considering that blockchains do not contain information that could allow one to track individuals from a given digital wallet address. However, estimating the number ranges of ownership remains possible with a reasonable level of accuracy.

According to on-chain analytics as of 2026, there are millions of XRP addresses with a non-zero XRP balance. The number of XRP owners across the globe is also lower than the number of addresses due to exchanges as users of exchanges keep XRP in their accounts, and each account might have tens of thousands of customers.

**Total XRP supply: 100 billion XRP**

## Major named individual holders

It appears that while corporations carry the torch, there have been a few individuals who at some point in recent history held large sums of XRP tokens. In these cases, the accusations are being publically tagged and reported.

### Chris Larsen

Chris Larsen Chris Larsen, a co-founder and early individual behind the XRP ecosystem is often referred to as the largest individual founder. Tags in XRPSCAN and reports from Cointelegraph, Coincodex (Nov 2025) have highlighted several addresses where Larse’s holdings are stashed. Together all of these said listed wallets hold a massive amount of XRP.

### Board/executive grants (Brad Garlinghouse and others)

Allocations have typically gone to senior executives and early employees. Typically, these wallets are smaller than Ripple’s corporate holdings and Chris Larsen’s combined holdings but still comprise a material amount.

### Historical holder: Jed McCaleb

Another early developer, Jed McCaleb, held a significant portion of the XRP. Point is: with time a structured sale agreement and distribution plan diminished the on‑ledger concentration of his holdings.

McCaleb’s sales were executed according to legal arrangements and topsy-turvy PHP transfers set up to avoid disrupting the market.

### Why Exact Holder Counts Are Complicated

There are a number of things that make it difficult to measure

-   One individual may possess 10 wallets.

-   A single exchange wallet could account for 10,000 individuals.

-   Many transactions on XRP are done inside its custodial environments, away from the blockchain

-   Some of these addresses can sit idle for years, forming "dormant addresses.

Therefore, instead of providing specific data on what the exact numbers are on specific individuals, the focus is on trends related to addresses.

Despite such flaws, we may conclude that XRP remains as widely distributed as any asset globally, even compared to leading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as prominent stablecoins.

XRP Rich List 2026: Understanding Wealth Distribution
-------------------------------------------------------

The XRP Rich List helps to create an understanding of how many people own XRP in different addresses. Though it does not disclose the entities controlling the different addresses, it is obvious how the XRP wealth is concentrated in different volume bands.

## Top 10 accounts by XRP balance

| \# |                 Account                   |   |              |     Balance             |                   |
|----|------------------------------------|---|--------------|------------------|-------------------|
| 1  | rB3WNZc45gxzW31zxfXdkx8HusAhoqscPn |  Ripple (11)  |           234XRP |  5,000,000,000XRP |
| 2  | r9UUEXn3cx2seufBkDa8F86usfjWM6HiYp | Ripple (10)  |           220XRP |  5,000,000,000XRP |
| 3  | rDdXiA3M4mYTQ4cFpWkVXfc2UaAXCFWeCK | Ripple (12)  |           216XRP |  5,000,000,000XRP |
| 4  | rKDvgGUsNPZxsgmoemfrgXPS2Not4co2op | Ripple (13)  |           201XRP |  5,000,000,000XRP |
| 5  | rMhkqz3DeU7GUUJKGZofusbrTwZe6bDyb1 | Ripple (28)  |   500,000,206XRP |  4,000,000,000XRP |
| 6  | r9NpyVfLfUG8hatuCCHKzosyDtKnBdsEN3 | Ripple (9)   |   500,000,204XRP |  4,000,000,000XRP |
| 7  | rN8pqRwLYuuvY7pUHurybPC8P6rLqVsu6o | Ripple (15)  |           200XRP |  3,100,000,000XRP |
| 8  | rKwJaGmB5Hz24Qs2iyCaTdUuL1WsEXUWy5 | Ripple (14)  |           201XRP |  3,000,000,000XRP |
| 9  | rPyCQm8E5j78PDbrfKF24fRC7qUAk1kDMZ | Bithumb (12) | 1,842,828,402XRP |                   |
| 10 | rs8ZPbYqgecRcDzQpJYAMhSxSi5htsjnza | Binance (5)  | 1,705,412,412XRP |                   |

### Distribution Patterns Seen in 2026

A number of observations have emerged across 2026 data:

1\. A small number of very large wallets have a lot of their funds in the form of XRP. The large wallets often comprise exchange custody accounts, institutional custody services, initial ecosystem members, and long-term holders who have been holding their XRP for a long time.

2\. Using the term 'Medium-Sized Wallets,' the group of retail investors, traders, and individuals holding the asset for payment purposes can be specified. This group of users comprises the broad contingent of the worldwide base of holders of the asset.

3\. The vast majority of the addresses have a small balance. This is a reflection of the ubiquitous nature of the XRP and the millions of holders that have a limited balance as a result of trading, sending money, and experimenting with cryptocurrency.

4\. The large exchanges in the ranking have a major impact because they consolidate user funds into a single account. The implication here is that such large amounts are not held by a single individual but are in fact held in accounts for thousands of users.

How Many People Own 1,000 XRP?
------------------------------

Many curious investors out there might wonder how many people own 1000 XRP, as this figure is considered the psychological threshold for the middle tier of holders. As previously stated, on-chain information cannot reveal the holder of each wallet, yet patterns on account distribution within the rich lists do allow one to place the "1,000 XRP tier" within the global ecosystem.

### Why 1,000 XRP Is an Important Benchmark

For many cryptocurrency communities, holding a round figure-such as 1,000 units-represents a transition from casual ownership to more intentional accumulation. One thousand coins could be viewed in the XRP ecosystem as being:

-   a mid-range holding,

-   achievable for most retail investors.

-   large enough to reflect interest but not necessarily long-term conviction.

-   that become significant when aggregated across millions of global holders.

This range helps analysts understand middle-class participation in the XRP network.

### What On-Chain Patterns Suggest

On-chain address distribution reveals that a good chunk of wallets fall in the range of hundreds to thousands of XRP. That means small and medium holders are pretty widespread, rather than extreme concentration among whales.

Several realities shape this segment:

-   A big portion of retail holders keep their XRP on centralized exchanges. Their balance is aggregated under a few big custodial wallets. Thus, it could well be the case that thousands of owners effectively have more than 1,000 XRP, but it's just not directly visible on-chain.

-   Long-term holders tend to build up over time, and the 1,000-XRP level is one place where casual holding starts to become more serious.

-   The global nature of the XRP community means mid-tier holdings appear across multiple regions, not just in North America or Europe.

[![xrp swap](https://blog.exolix.com/uploads/Frame_1991431864_15_10100b1b08.png)](https://exolix.com/currencies/xrp){:target="_blank" rel="dofollow"} 

### Interpreting the Data

Based on address categories and exchange custody patterns, it may be stated that a huge number of people worldwide have at least 1,000 XRP coins, putting them in the middle section of the curve, rather than whale or Small Holder investors.

-   This tier is often associated with:

-   long-term retail investors,

-   active traders building position sizes,

-   and users who follow the developments related to the ecosystem of XRP. 

Although the actual worldwide figures can only be given anonymously, from every indicator, the ownership group of 1,000 XRP is recognized as comprising a significant segment of the entire community of XRPs.

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How many people own Ripple (XRP) in the world? XRP remains to be among the most distributed cryptocurrencies in the world with millions of its addresses holding some amount of XRP.

How many people own XRP? XRP Rich List 2026

Currently, as of 2026, XRP remains to be among the most distributed cryptocurrencies in the world with millions of its addresses holding some amount of XRP.

How Many People Own XRP? XRP Rich List 2026

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