Asset manager 21Shares published an analytical report on the monetary policy and circulation dynamics of the XRP token amid a recovery in the asset's price above the $1.4 mark. According to the published data, the supply of this cryptocurrency grew by 5.5% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, marking the most moderate inflation rate among digital assets positioned as payment instruments.
The supply increase mechanism is linked to the regular release of tokens from escrow accounts held by Ripple. According to analysts' calculations, approximately 272 million XRP units enter free circulation each month. A portion of these funds is returned to lock-up accounts following transactions, but the overall balance remains positive. 21Shares specialists note that in order to preserve the purchasing power of asset holders, the token's price must demonstrate annual growth of at least 5.5%, equivalent to the pace of additional issuance.
However, offsetting inflationary pressure solely through transaction fees appears unlikely. Current revenues generated by the XRP Ledger network from operating activity fall significantly short of new supply volumes. According to 21Shares data, protocol revenue for the first six months of 2026 declined by 81.6% compared to the same period the previous year, dropping from $6.43 million to $1.18 million. To fully neutralize the effect of additional issuance at current price levels, network revenues would need to increase 12,700-fold over the next reporting period.
A comparative analysis of the monetary parameters of various payment networks reveals a relatively conservative policy on the part of the XRP issuer. The annual supply growth rate for this cryptocurrency stands at 5.5%, while competing solutions show significantly higher figures. In particular, the Stellar token is characterized by an inflation rate of 8.8% per annum, while the native currency of the TON blockchain demonstrates a supply increase of 9.6% annually. XRP thus maintains the most restrained pace of money supply expansion among the major crypto assets oriented toward cross-border settlements.
The presented data reflect the fundamental economic parameters of the XRP Ledger network and do not contain evaluative judgments regarding the investment attractiveness of the asset. The 21Shares analytical report is purely research-oriented and aims to enhance the transparency of monetary mechanisms for participants in the cryptocurrency market.
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This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation.