Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has expressed a strong sense of optimism regarding the future of the cryptocurrency market, projecting that new all-time highs could be reached in 2026. In a recent interview with CNBC, Garlinghouse affirmed his bullish stance on the crypto space, stating, “I’ll go on record as saying I think we’ll see an all-time high.” However, he refrained from detailing specific assets or price approximations.
Garlinghouse has previously made notable predictions regarding Bitcoin, forecasting that it could reach a value of $180,000 by the end of 2026. This projection represents an increase of approximately 43% above Bitcoin’s current all-time record of $126,080 and more than double its trading price of around $89,446. In December, during Binance Blockchain Week, he contextualized this expectation by citing potential legislative support from the passage of the CLARITY Act, a comprehensive U.S. crypto market structure bill that he believed would bolster the entire industry. Though the bill has faced turbulent developments, with the American crypto exchange Coinbase withdrawing its support to negotiate a more beneficial arrangement for both the crypto sector and traditional banking, President Trump recently indicated hopes to sign the legislation “very soon.”
In regard to XRP, the cryptocurrency integral to Ripple’s payment solutions, Garlinghouse chose not to divulge specific forecasts in the CNBC interview. Nonetheless, he indicated that he anticipates “continued, very positive momentum” in the ecosystem associated with XRP, emphasizing Ripple’s vested interest in its performance. XRP had previously achieved a significant milestone, breaking a prolonged seven-year period of stagnation by reaching an all-time high of $3.65 in July 2025. However, it has since experienced a substantial decline, now trading around $1.92—almost 47% off its peak.
Market predictions pertaining to XRP appear cautious, with analysts on Myriad’s prediction platform forecasting a potential rally to $2.69 only to be followed by a drop to $1.42, suggesting a stronger probability of a price decline in the near-term before any upward movement is realized.
Ripple has made significant strides in the past year, culminating in the approval to expand its operations in the U.K. This development comes on the heels of a transformative 2025 for the firm, marked by the resolution of its prolonged legal battles with the SEC, as well as four major acquisitions and a notable increase in its valuation. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, all eyes will be on how regulatory developments and market trends impact the trajectory of both Ripple and the broader cryptocurrency market in the coming years.
