Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse indicated that the company is considering potential acquisitions in the latter half of 2026, following a massive $4 billion investment spree focused on mergers and acquisitions last year. This announcement came during an online XRP Community Day event where Garlinghouse outlined the company’s shift toward practical integration rather than new major acquisitions.
While acknowledging that the first half of the year will not focus on significant purchases, he hinted that there may be a renewed interest in acquisitions later in 2026. “I don’t think you should expect any other big acquisitions,” Garlinghouse stated, “But you never know; the second half of the year we’ll start maybe looking to be more acquisitive again.”
Last year’s substantial investment by Ripple solidified its status as one of the most active players in the crypto acquisition space, rivaling even Tether. Key transactions included a $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, which boasts annual transactions of $3 trillion for over 300 institutional clients, and a $1 billion deal for GTreasury. Both companies have since been rebranded, with Hidden Road now operating as Ripple Prime and GTreasury as Ripple Treasury, both aiming to bolster risk management, compliance, and operational efficiencies in transactions.
In the midst of these corporate strategies, XRP, Ripple’s native token, has been experiencing volatility, currently sitting around 60% below its all-time high. Garlinghouse reinforced the significance of XRP, calling it the “North Star” for Ripple, aimed at enhancing utility, trust, and liquidity through its various offerings, including Ripple Payments and RLUSD stablecoin.
Despite the optimistic outlook from Ripple’s leadership regarding utility and integration, XRP has faced significant sell-offs, with recent trading dropping as low as $1.15-$1.20. Analysts observed a potential shift in momentum with a bounce to $1.37-$1.40, yet substantial resistance levels persist. Immediate resistance has been identified at $1.45-$1.50, and XRP needs to maintain above $1.30 to facilitate a credible recovery.
Garlinghouse’s strategic focus on driving XRP utility through expansive product offerings raises questions about whether ongoing M&A activities will successfully drive token demand. This skepticism is reflected in XRP’s significant price decline, contributing to a cautious investor sentiment prevailing within the market.
Overall, as Ripple contemplates its future acquisitions and integrates newly acquired assets, the impact on XRP’s market performance and utility will be closely monitored by investors and analysts alike.
