Ripple’s CEO Praises SEC’s Atkins as Whales Load Up on 360M $XRP

XRP whales accumulated 360 million tokens over the past week, pushing whale‑held supply to its highest level in months. The buying spree comes as Ripple’s CEO publicly praised the new SEC Chair Paul Atkins, calling him “a breath of fresh air and sanity” after years of hostility under Gary Gensler.

The contrast could not be starker: a once‑adversarial relationship between Ripple and the SEC now appears to be warming, and large investors are positioning ahead of potential regulatory clarity.

Ripple’s CEO on SEC – “A Breath of Fresh Air and Sanity”

Ripple’s CEO tweeted that the SEC’s first mission is to protect investors. Under Gary Gensler, he argued, the SEC lost its way by declaring war on a technology. He called it an unlawful power grab that the courts rejected.

By contrast, he described current SEC Chair Paul Atkins as a breath of fresh air and sanity. Atkins, he said, is a model of what SEC leadership should look like – focusing on protecting investors and fostering innovation that helps both investors and markets.

The SEC’s first mission is to protect investors. Under Gary Gensler, the SEC clearly lost its way. He declared war on a technology.. It was an unlawful power grab…and the courts said as much.

By comparison, @SECPaulSAtkins is a breath of fresh air and sanity. He is a model… https://t.co/Two2NO2mqw

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) April 20, 2026

This is a significant shift in tone from Ripple’s leadership. Under Gensler, Ripple spent years fighting the SEC in court. Now the company is openly endorsing the new chair. The change in regulatory climate is real, and Ripple is positioning itself as a constructive partner rather than an adversary. That optimism is now showing up in on-chain data.

Read also: XRP Price Mimics Silver’s 450% Rally Pattern

XRP Whales Buy 360M Tokens – Chart Shows Steady Accumulation

Ali Martinez posted a Santiment chart showing XRP held by whales (large addresses) rising from roughly 8.32 billion to 8.83 billion over the past week. That is an increase of 360 million XRP. The chart line climbs steadily without sharp dips, indicating consistent buying rather than a one-time pump.

Whale accumulation is a bullish signal. These large holders typically have longer time horizons and better information. When they add positions during a flat price period, it often precedes a move higher. The accumulation also aligns with the improved regulatory sentiment expressed by Ripple’s CEO.

Whales accumulated 360 million $XRP over the past week! pic.twitter.com/Sv5zTpqdKr

— Ali Charts (@alicharts) April 20, 2026

XRP Price Outlook – Slow Climb Toward Resistance

XRP is up 2.3% today, mirroring Bitcoin’s 2.2% rise and the total crypto market’s 2% gain. Price currently sits around $1.43. The move is broad-based, not XRP-specific, but the whale accumulation suggests underlying strength.

If buyers keep stepping in, XRP could move up to $1.50–$1.60 this week. That is the next level it needs to break. A successful breakout above $1.50 would open the door to higher targets. These predictions are in line with our XRP weekly price outlook.

If things get stronger (perhaps from ETF demand or positive regulatory news) the XRP price could stretch toward $1.70. That would require real buying pressure, not just a relief bounce. On the downside, if momentum fades, XRP could slip back to $1.30–$1.35, where it has previously found support.

Right now, the setup looks more like a slow climb than a big breakout. But the combination of whale accumulation and a crypto-friendly SEC chair could tilt the balance toward the bulls.

Ripple’s CEO has made his view clear: the SEC is finally on the right track. Whales are voting with their wallets, adding 360 million XRP in a single week. If the regulatory optimism translates into ETF inflows and institutional demand, XRP could finally break out of its multi-month range. For now, patience remains the key.

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