Simply put
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is feeling optimistic and expects the cryptocurrency market to reach a new all-time high in 2026.
- The executives at Ripple had previously suggested Bitcoin could hit $180,000 by year-end.
- Ripple-affiliated XRP, which peaked in 2025, has since dropped about 47% from its highest value as of Thursday.
According to Ripple’s CEO, a new all-time high in cryptocurrency is on the horizon for 2026, though he doesn’t provide many specifics.
In a statement, Garlinghouse expressed his “very bullish” outlook and anticipated that cryptocurrencies would reach new heights this year, but he refrained from mentioning any particular cryptocurrencies or pricing forecasts.
“I’ll go on record saying I believe we will see all-time highs,” Garlinghouse remarked.
Back in December, during Binance Blockchain Week, he had offered more detailed expectations. In his forecast, he believed Bitcoin would reach $180,000, possibly exceeding that number by the end of 2026.
If that projection holds, BTC would be roughly 43% higher than its previous peak of $126,080 and over 100% more than its current trading price, which is about $89,446.
Garlinghouse also mentioned that he anticipated the CLARITY Act would pass in the first half of 2026, providing further support to the industry.
The proposed U.S. Cryptocurrency Market Structure Act has seen some turbulence recently, notably with Coinbase retracting its support for it.
Despite this, on Wednesday, Trump indicated he was eager to sign the bill “right away.”
Regarding XRP, Garlinghouse chose not to elaborate on Ripple’s payment service assets, but he did express a desire for “continued very positive momentum.”
XRP recently broke through a long stagnation, achieving an all-time high of $3.65 in July last year. However, it has since fallen around 47%, currently trading at about $1.92.
Market forecasters at Myriad predict the asset might not gain positive momentum soon, estimating it could rise to $2.69 before dropping to $1.42. They imply that a decline may precede a significant increase in value.
Ripple, the financial services company associated with cryptocurrency assets, got approval to expand its operations in the UK earlier this year, marking a year filled with challenges and successes, especially after years of battling the SEC and recent acquisitions that improved its prospects.
