XRP Stacking Plan: Core vs Working Pile, Explained
How the video suggests growing your XRP count by splitting holdings into a core and a working pile, with planned sales, buybacks, yield checks and loan risks.
Key takeaways
- The video suggests splitting XRP into a core position kept in cold storage and a smaller working pile used for strategies.
- The video's panic test: if an 80% fall would push you to sell your core, the core is probably too large. The host plans his own core around a further 50% to 60% drop.
- In the video's plan, sell and buy-back levels are set before a rally starts, and the host notes that selling can trigger capital gains tax.
- Before using any XRP yield app, the video wants five answers: where your XRP goes, the rate, what you are paid in, how you get it back, and what can make you lose money.
- The video warns that borrowing heavily against XRP near a price high risks liquidation, where the lender sells your coins to repay the loan.
Growing an XRP holding starts with the coins you already own, not with buying more, according to Bullrunners. The video’s plan splits XRP into a protected core kept in cold storage and a smaller working pile used for pre-planned sales, buybacks and carefully tested yield, and it warns against large loans taken against XRP near a price high.
This matters because XRP’s price history includes sharp rallies that were largely given back. A holder who does nothing with their coins can finish a rally with the same number of XRP they started with, or with a loss if they bought near the top. The video’s framework is meant to give holders rules for rallies, drops and long sideways stretches, without relying on price predictions.
Why does XRP’s price history matter for stacking?
XRP’s past rallies show that gains can disappear quickly, which is why the video says relying on price alone is risky. According to the video, XRP reached over $3 in 2018 before falling more than 90%. It came close to $2 in 2021 before another major drop. The 2025 run took XRP to around $3.65, and by June 2026 it was trading around $1.22. The video adds that XRP briefly dipped below $1. Outside reporting dates the first dip to August 2026, XRP’s first time under $1 since late 2024.
The host’s point is that when price is the only way your XRP can grow, the chart is doing all the work, and the chart is unpredictable. Even professional traders, the video notes, can only study the past and plan for the most probable scenario. They cannot guarantee where price goes next.
What is the core and working pile split?
The core and working pile split divides an XRP position into one part you protect and one part you are willing to use. The core position is XRP the holder does not plan to trade, lend, bridge or move into another protocol that could fail. It stays in cold storage. If you are unsure what that means, Bullrunners has a guide on hot vs cold wallets.
The working pile, which the video also calls a satellite position, is the part used when there is a chance to increase the number of XRP owned. Gains from the working pile are then moved back into the core.
The video gives two-thirds core and one-third working pile as an example, and notes that some people prefer 80/20 or 90/10. The host says these are not rules. In his view, the split should match how much risk you are willing to take with the working pile. What matters is a clear line between the two, so a bad month in the working pile cannot drag the core down with it.
How big should the core position be?
According to the video, the core should be an amount you can actually leave alone, even through a deep drop. The video’s test: if watching the core fall 80% would push you to panic sell, the core is probably too large. That breaks the first rule the host cites, never invest more than you can afford to lose, because XRP has fallen that far before.
The host says he builds his own core around a drop he knows he could handle, such as XRP falling another 50% or 60% from current levels. In his framing, the core exists so you do not have to make every decision with your entire position.
How does a planned sell-and-buy-back plan work?
A planned sell-and-buy-back plan sets prices in advance for trimming part of the working pile during a rally and for buying back if XRP later falls. The video stresses deciding before the chart gets exciting. That means not trying to guess the exact top while social media fills with large price targets.
The video’s example uses a working pile of 4,000 XRP:
| Portion of working pile | Example sell price |
|---|---|
| 1,000 XRP | $2.50 |
| 1,000 XRP | $3.00 |
| 1,000 XRP | $3.50 |
| Last 1,000 XRP | Kept in case the run continues |
The host says these numbers are only examples. He prefers to work from market structure and confluence rather than fixed price targets, using tools such as the weekly stochastic RSI, divergences and retracements. For a broader version of this idea, see Bullrunners’ five-step XRP exit strategy.
The buy-back side works like this in the video’s math. Sell 1,000 XRP at $3 for $3,000. If XRP later falls to $1.50, a limit buy order set in advance could use that $3,000 to buy about 2,000 XRP before fees and taxes. The video is clear that this shows the math only. XRP could keep rising after you sell, leaving you able to buy back fewer coins or choosing not to buy back at all.
The video adds two cautions:
- Taxes. Selling can create a tax bill, and short-term and long-term capital gains are treated differently. The host suggests speaking to a tax professional before a large sale.
- Tools. Price alerts, for example on TradingView, and limit sell orders mean you do not have to watch the chart all day, and you know in advance what a sale would bring in.
The host also stresses being realistic. Some holders are comfortable taking profit at 2x, 3x or 4x, others at 20% or 50%. He says most people should not rely on a 50x or 100x from XRP, because moving its price that far would take a lot of liquidity, and that he expects XRP’s growth to take time.
Can the working pile earn yield while XRP moves sideways?
The video describes using DeFi yield for part of the working pile during sideways periods, but with clear risks. The host says XRP spends most of its time, arguably 80% or more, moving in a range rather than rallying or falling. During those stretches, some lending apps let users supply a wrapped version of XRP and earn interest paid in the same token. That way the XRP count can grow while price does nothing.
The video warns that these routes change fast. Rates can drop to almost nothing, and apps can pause or be exploited. Before using one, the host wants five answers:
- Where does my XRP go?
- What rate is the app showing?
- What am I paid in: a stablecoin, XRP, reward tokens or something else?
- How do I get my XRP back? Is it locked, or can I withdraw at any time?
- What can make me lose money? Rates move, apps change, and wrapped XRP adds another layer that has to keep working.
The host would test any route with a small amount first, confirming he can get in and back out quickly, before deciding whether it deserves more of the working pile. He would move any XRP earned back toward the core rather than leave it to pile up in the working position. Bullrunners covers related questions in its article on the risks to check before lending XRP.
Why does the video warn against borrowing near a high?
The video warns that borrowing a large amount against XRP near a price high can lead to liquidation. Borrowing instead of selling can sound smart during a rally. But if XRP falls far enough, the lender can sell your XRP to repay the loan. That forced sale is called liquidation, and the video notes it can happen in both leveraged trading and lending.
The host points to XRP trading around $3.65 in July 2025 and around $1.22 by June 2026. A heavy loan taken near that high could force a sale at much lower prices, and the holder would not be the one choosing to sell. The host says one person messaged him to say they took out $4 million in XRP at the top and were completely liquidated. The video gives no further detail on that account. In the video’s framing, the danger is the size of the loan against an asset that can fall that far, which is another reason it keeps the core separate.
The video’s XRP stacking framework
Pulled together, the plan the host describes looks like this. It is a summary of the video’s approach, not a recommendation:
- Split. XRP is divided into a core and a working pile, with the split matched to the holder’s risk tolerance.
- Protect the core. The core stays in cold storage, out of trades, lending, bridges and DeFi.
- Size the core. The video’s test is whether an 80% fall would trigger a panic sale. The host plans his own core around a further 50% to 60% drop.
- Set sell levels early. Prices for selling pieces of the working pile are chosen before a rally, with one piece kept in case the run continues.
- Set buy-back levels early. Limit buy orders are planned in advance, with fees and taxes accounted for.
- Test yield carefully. During sideways months, yield is considered only after the five questions are answered and a small test works.
- Move gains to the core. Earnings go back into the core before the working pile becomes most of the holding.
- Limit borrowing. The video steers away from large loans against XRP, especially after a big run up.
What to watch next
The host’s closing point is that rules work best when they are set while the market is calm, because greed and fear are weakest then. The video does not predict where XRP goes next, and it says nobody can.
The video points to three things worth keeping an eye on:
- XRP’s range. The host says XRP spends most of its time moving sideways, so watch whether it stays in a range.
- Yield app terms. The rates, withdrawal terms and payout tokens on any XRP yield app can change quickly, and apps can be paused.
- Tax treatment. Short-term and long-term gains are taxed differently, so check how any sale would be treated.
The question the video leaves holders with is whether the line between protected coins and working coins is already clear before the next large move.
Frequently asked questions
What is a core and working pile strategy for XRP?
It means splitting your XRP into two parts. The core stays in cold storage and is not traded, lent or bridged, while the smaller working pile is used for planned sales, buybacks and carefully tested yield. The video gives two-thirds core and one-third working as one example, and notes some people use 80/20 or 90/10 splits.
How can selling XRP lead to owning more XRP?
The video's example: sell 1,000 XRP at $3 for $3,000, and if XRP later falls to $1.50, that $3,000 could buy about 2,000 XRP before fees and taxes. The video stresses this only shows the math, because XRP could keep rising and leave you buying back fewer coins or none.
Is earning yield on XRP risky?
Yes, according to the video. Rates can fall to almost nothing, apps can pause or get exploited, and wrapped XRP adds another layer that has to keep working. The host says he would test any route with a small amount first.
What is liquidation when borrowing against XRP?
Liquidation is a forced sale. If XRP falls far enough after you borrow against it, the lender can sell your XRP to repay the loan. The video says this can happen in both leveraged trading and lending.
How far has XRP fallen after past rallies?
The video says XRP topped $3 in 2018 before falling more than 90%, and neared $2 in 2021 before another major drop. It also says XRP reached about $3.65 in July 2025 and was trading around $1.22 by June 2026.
Full video transcript
From the video's captions, lightly formatted. Captions can mishear names and numbers, so check figures against the article above.
If I wanted to stack more XRP than I have today, I would not start by buying more. I'd start with the XRP that I already own. You see, XRP has made huge runs before, and it's also given a lot of those gains back, especially the people who buy when the run happens and then they're sitting in unrealized losses. So, I'd have a plan for what I do when XRP takes off and what I do when the price sits still for months. And I'll show you how I'd set that up and the one mistake that I'd avoid with the whole entire position.
So, if you already own XRP and you want to end this year with more of it, this is the video for you. This is all educational purposes only. It's not financial advice. Crypto carries risk and nothing here is a promise of any return. So, first, let's look at what has happened after some of XRP's biggest runs.
XRP reached over $3 back in 2018 before falling more than 90%. It got close to $2 in 2021 before another major drop. The 2025 run took XRP back up to around $3.65. 65 and by June of 2026 it was at around $1.22. It even dipped below a dollar for a brief period of time.
XRP can make a huge move, but if you never change what you do with your coins, you can end that run with the same number that you started with or even worse in a loss. And when the price is the only way your XRP can grow, well, the chart is doing all the work for you and it's very unpredictable. Even if you're a professional trader, they can't even predict exactly what's going to happen next for the future. They can only look at the past and make assumptions based on that and create a strategy for the most probable scenario, but not a guarantee of a price prediction. So, I would rather separate the XRP I want to protect from the XRP I'm willing to use for a strategy.
And that lets me make different decisions when XRP runs, when it falls, or it sits idle and goes still and does nothing for months at a time. I would split the position into two piles. The first is the core position. That is the XRP that I'm not planning to trade, lend, bridge, or move into another protocol that could be risky and rugpull. It stays in cold storage.
The second is the working pile. And you can call this the satellite position that orbits around the planet or whatever you want to call it. This is the part I'm willing to use when there's an opportunity to grow the number of XRP that I can own and move to the core position in cold storage. So, a good example would be something like 2/3 goes into the core cold storage and 1/3 becomes the working pile. Now, that's just an example.
Obviously, you can choose what works best for you. Some people it's 9010. Some people it's 8020. These aren't exact rules that you have to follow, and it's not financial advice here. I'm just giving examples, right?
The split should match the amount of risk that you're willing to take for the satellite position that you put to work. And what matters is having a clear line between the money that you want to protect and the money that you're willing to put to work to grow what you're protecting. So, if the working pile has a bad month, it can't take the core with it. If it has a good month, then you have somewhere to put the gains back into. The core position should be an amount you can actually leave alone.
If watching it fall 80% would make you sell it in a panic, well, the core position is probably too large for you because you kind of disobeyed the first rule of investing. That's never invest more than you can afford to lose because XRP has fallen that much before. So, I would build the core position around a drop that I know that I can handle if XRP went down another 50% or 60% from here. The core position is there. So you don't have to make every decision with your entire XRP position.
Once that part is separated, then the working pile can have a different job. So this is where I can start growing the number of XRP that I own. When XRP makes a big run, I would not try to guess the exact top there. I would decide before the run how much of the work pile that I'm willing to sell at different prices. For example, let's say I had 4,000 XRP in the working pile.
I might decide ahead of time the different pieces come off at different prices. It would be something like a,000 XRP at $2.50, another,000 at $3, another,000 at 350, and keep the last 1,000 in case the run keeps going. Now, some people might wait for higher price targets. Arguably, using price targets isn't the best strategy. I talk a lot about the stochastic RSI on the weekly chart.
Also, divergences, market structure, breakup structures, retracements, you name it. If you really want to know the best strategy to understand when an asset like XRP is overvalued, I'll leave a link in the description below. You can check that video after this one because the numbers, they're only an example. And I don't like operating off of price predictions. I like operating off of market structure and confluence.
The important part is making the decision before the chart gets exciting and everyone's claiming that XRP is going to go to these crazy price predictions on social media. So when XRP is moving fast, the temptation is to hold every coin because you think the next dollar is coming or you think this is the moment it's going to flip the switch, right? So this is where the plan matters most. The other half is deciding when I would buy back. Because if XRP later falls to a price I chose ahead of time, well, the money I took off the table can buy back more XRP at a limit buy order.
So, let's say I sold a,000 XRP for $3,000 at three bucks. If XRP later fell to $150, that same $3,000 could buy about 2,000 XRP before fees and taxes. So, that example only shows the math, but it doesn't mean XRP will fall to $1.50 50 cents after you sell it. XRP could keep going up and you could end up buying back fewer coins or deciding not to buy back at all. Selling can also create a tax bill.
So, you got to talk to a tax professional before making a large sale because there's short-term and there's long-term capital gains taxes. That's why I would only use this with the working pile and understand the key levels to exit at before you even make the move. You can also set price alerts, too, as well using Trading View, so that way you're not staring at the chart all day waiting for the numbers to hit. You can set limit sell orders, too. So, you already know how much you're going to make at any given point if it hits that price.
And that gives you enough to start building the plan yourself based on your goals. Because some people are completely fine taking a profit at a 2x, 3x, 4x. Some people are fine with a 50% or 20% gain. Most people shouldn't rely on a 50x or 100x out of XRP because it's going to take a lot of liquidity to move it. Now, yes, I do believe XRP is going to do incredibly well, but I think it's going to take a lot of time.
And for anyone who wants help applying it to what they're actually holding, the free briefing is the first link in the description below that says, "Put your XRP to work here." That's going to dive into more detail on the options that you have to earn yield with your XRP. So that way you can leverage that yield for whatever you want to grow your core position. And that briefing is for people that have about $50,000 or more in crypto or stable coins or a mix of the two because the math can pencil out on the core and the working pile or the satellite pile position to put to work for you. Because if you only have like a hundred or $200 in crypto, you literally don't need to do anything with it. You just hold it basically and you keep stacking.
So make more money on the front end. So go watch it. If it makes sense to you, then book a strategy call with an expert on my team. What we'll do is we'll go through what you're holding and what you want to do with it. And if it's not the right fit for you, we'll be the first ones to tell you.
And if you're not at $50,000 yet, that's completely fine. Subscribe to the channel. We'll keep showing you how to get there. But XRP does not run every single month. You know, it can sit in a range for months.
And that's where the third move comes in. Because between big moves to the upside, a bullish move, or to the downside, a bearish move, XRP can sit in a range for months, and the majority of the time, that's what it does. And that's a long time for the working pile to just sit there doing nothing in cold storage while the price goes sideways. And that's arguably 80% or higher of the time. One option is to put part of that working pile into a DeFi route that pays yield.
For example, some lending apps let you supply a wrapped version of XRP and earn interest in the same token. So, the number of XRP in that working position can grow while you wait while the price does nothing. But these routes, they change fast. You know, rates can fall to almost nothing depending on where you're at. Apps can pause, they can get exploited.
So, I would not move XRP into a yield app just because the number on the screen looks good, especially if you haven't talked to an expert that can teach you what to do with that. before I'd ever used one. I want five answers. Number one, where does my XRP go? Number two, what rate is the app showing? What's the yield?
Number three, what do I get paid in? Is it a stable coin? Is it XRP? Is it reward tokens or something else? Number four, how do I get my XRP back?
Is it locked up? Can I withdraw it at any point? You name it. And number five, what can make me lose money there? Because rates can move, apps can change, wrapped XRP adds another risk that has to keep working there.
So, I would test the route with a small amount first, make sure that I can get in, get back out quickly, and it's not locked up for a long period of time, and only then decide whether it deserves more of the working pile to earn more yield. Because when the yield produces more XRP, you know, I would move those gains back towards the core position instead of letting the working pile grow without a withdrawal limit to let it stack up forever there. Okay. Now, there's one shortcut I would avoid with a large part of the position. Borrowing a large amount against XRP near a high because it sounds smart when XRP is running and you want more leverage or you want a bigger position, you want to go through lending, you don't want to sell, so you borrow against the coins instead.
But if XRP falls far enough, the lender can sell your XRP to repay the loan. And that forced sale is called liquidation. It can happen in leverage and it can also happen in lending. XRP traded around $3.65 65 in July of 2025. It was around $1.22 by June of 2026.
And I had one person message me saying they took out $4 million in XRP and they got completely liquidated because they took out that loan at the top, the worst possible time to do that. So if you had borrowed heavily against XRP near the high, a move like that drop could force you to sell at much lower prices. And you're not even the one selling, the lender is. So the danger is the size of the loan against an asset that can fall that far, especially after a major breakout to the upside. So that's why the core position and the working pile need to stay separate.
So if I wanted to multiply my XRP, I would start with the position I already have. I would keep a core that I'm not putting into trades or to DeFi. I would use a smaller working pile for planned sales, buybacks, and carefully tested yield protocols that are vetted by my research team. And then I would move the gains back towards the core position before the working pile becomes most of what I own. And the goal is not to predict every move that XRP can make because it's virtually impossible to know where it's going to go on the price chart.
The goal is to stop asking the price to do all the work for your portfolio and relying on the hold and hope strategy because nobody knows what's going to happen on the price chart next. But this strategy gives you a plan for what to do with your XRP that you already own instead of just waiting for it to go up. And you don't need to know what XRP will do next to even start. You just need rules that you can follow when the market is calm and when the price is doing nothing. That's when you make your smartest decisions because there's no greed or there's no fear.
So the first link in the description below takes you to the free briefing to check it out. Learn how to put your XRP to work for you. And if you have other assets, we'll teach you how to do that as well, so you can put it into practice today. So watch that video first, then decide whether you want to take the next step and talk with an expert on my team. You're going to see a button below.
If you're on mobile, just click more. It'll drop down. It's the first link there. And again, if you're not at $50,000 yet in the market, that's completely fine. Just stay subscribed to the channel, keep watching.
We'll help you keep stacking your portfolio. And as always, I will see you on the next video. I will see you at the top. You know that crypto carries risk, including losing capital that you put in. So, these videos are purely for educational purposes only.
None of this is a projection of what you're going to earn or a promise of anything because you know that results aren't typical, but you're not typical. So, I'll see you on the next one. I'll see you at the top. You know what to do. Stay bullish.
Education and commentary only, not financial advice. Crypto is volatile and you can lose money. Do your own research and speak to a qualified advisor before making investment decisions. Figures and quotes are as reported in the video on October 20, 2026 and may have changed since.
