Introduction
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has declared himself “very bullish” on the cryptocurrency market, predicting it will reach new all-time highs in 2026. In a recent CNBC interview, the executive reiterated his December forecast that Bitcoin could surge to $180,000 by year’s end, a move that would represent a significant leap from current levels. This optimism is partly pinned on anticipated regulatory clarity from the U.S., even as Ripple’s own associated asset, XRP, trades nearly 50% below its 2025 peak.
Key Points
- Garlinghouse previously predicted Bitcoin would reach $180,000 by end of 2026, which would be 43% above its current all-time high.
- The CLARITY Act, expected to pass in first half of 2026 according to Garlinghouse, is seen as creating regulatory tailwinds for crypto despite recent volatility in legislative support.
- XRP reached a new all-time high of $3.65 in July 2025 but has since fallen approximately 47%, with prediction markets favoring further decline before potential recovery.
Garlinghouse's Bullish 2026 Outlook and Bitcoin Target
Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of financial services firm Ripple, has placed a bold public bet on the cryptocurrency market’s trajectory. “I’ll go on record as saying I think we’ll see an all-time high,” Garlinghouse told CNBC, expressing a broad, optimistic sentiment for 2026. While he avoided naming specific assets or price targets in that interview, he had previously provided a concrete prediction for the market leader. Speaking at Binance Blockchain Week in December, Garlinghouse forecast that Bitcoin would be trading at $180,000 or more by the end of 2026.
This specific Bitcoin target carries substantial implications. With Bitcoin’s current all-time high standing at $126,080, a move to $180,000 would represent an increase of approximately 43%. From its recent trading price of around $89,446, the prediction implies a potential gain of over 100%. Garlinghouse’s dual statements—a general bullish call and a specific Bitcoin target—frame 2026 as a potentially pivotal year for crypto asset valuations, driven by both market cycles and external catalysts.
Regulatory Tailwinds and the CLARITY Act Volatility
A key pillar of Garlinghouse’s bullish thesis is regulatory progress in the United States. In his December remarks, he highlighted the potential impact of the CLARITY Act, a piece of legislation also known as the U.S. crypto market structure bill. Garlinghouse expected the bill to pass in the first half of 2026, an event he believed would create “more tailwinds for the entire industry” by providing clearer rules for digital asset markets.
However, the path for this legislation has recently encountered turbulence. The bill experienced a “volatile last week,” notably marked by American crypto exchange Coinbase pulling its support. Coinbase sought a more balanced “win-win” outcome between the crypto industry and traditional banks. Despite this setback, momentum may be shifting again. On Wednesday, President Trump stated he hopes to sign the bill “very soon,” reintroducing a potential catalyst that aligns with Garlinghouse’s regulatory optimism for the year.
XRP's Performance and Ripple's Corporate Momentum
When pressed on XRP, the digital asset that powers Ripple’s payments services, Garlinghouse declined to provide a specific price prediction to CNBC. He did, however, express confidence in “continued, very positive momentum,” noting, “We are a very vested party in what goes on in the XRP ecosystem.” This optimism exists against a backdrop of recent price volatility for the asset.
XRP broke a seven-year streak in 2025 by achieving a new all-time high price, ultimately peaking at $3.65 in July. Since that zenith, the asset has retraced significantly, recently changing hands around $1.92—a decline of approximately 47% from its peak. This price action has influenced market sentiment. Predictors on the Myriad prediction market are skeptical of near-term positive momentum, assigning only 42% odds to a scenario where XRP pumps to $2.69 before dumping to $1.42. In other words, these traders currently favor a further price drop prior to any sustained upward surge.
Despite XRP’s price challenges, Ripple the company has secured significant operational wins. The firm concluded its years-long legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2025, a major regulatory hurdle. That same year, it executed four major acquisitions and received a massive valuation boost. More recently, Ripple gained regulatory approval to expand its operations in the United Kingdom, signaling growth and institutional acceptance beyond U.S. markets.
📎 Related coverage from: decrypt.co
