Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said crypto will reach new all-time highs by 2026, according to recent comments. XRP reacted as it usually does to regulatory optimism, jumping around 8-10% following confirmation that the SEC would drop its appeal. The broader context matters more: cryptocurrency prices tend to rise when the legal fog clears and capital feels safe to return.
It’s not just a token. This speaks to a broader shift as U.S. regulators move away from enforcement-focused tactics and big players begin to re-enter the market.
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What did Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse actually say?
Garlinghouse did not promise XRP price or give a timetable for a bull run. He said crypto as an asset class will reach new heights by 2026, thanks to clearer rules and deeper institutional access.
LAST:
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse told CNBC that he is very optimistic about 2026 and predicts that the crypto market will see a new all-time high this year. pic.twitter.com/1ArRTuwviB
– CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) January 23, 2026
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse told CNBC that he is very optimistic about 2026 and predicts that the crypto market will see a new all-time high this year. Think of regulations like traffic lights. When they are down, big investors stay out of business. When they work, money circulates again. Ripple’s lengthy SEC lawsuit has prevented many US exchanges and funds from touching XRP.
That changed in March 2025 when the SEC ended its appeal. According to CNBC, XRP immediately rose as traders took into account the legal clarity.
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Why XRP continues to react to legal news
XRP behaves differently than most altcoins because its price has remained tied to legal updates for years. Every time the SEC pulled back, XRP jumped. Every delay damages trust.
(Source: XRPUSD/TradingView)
Legal clarity is important because it reveals the basics. Refunds in the United States. Child care support. And the possibility of having spot ETFs. Analysts say an XRP ETF is only becoming realistic now that the courts have settled the security issue.
This helps explain why institutional demand continues to seep in, including continued inflows of Ripple ETFs outside of the United States.
Ripple’s business is growing behind the scenes
Ripple has also backed up its words with actions. The company agreed to buy prime broker Hidden Road for about $1.25 billion.
This is important because prime brokers serve hedge funds and banks. By connecting Hidden Road to the XRP Ledger, Ripple is targeting serious money, not hype. This supports Garlinghouse’s long-term vision more than any tweet ever could.
Price predictions are not facts. Macroeconomic shocks always hit crypto first. XRP has already shown this during recent trade war scares, quickly erasing gains during risk-free weeks, as seen in XRP’s recent volatility.
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Ripple CEO sees new crypto highs by 2026 – hype or signal? appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
