Ripple CEO Predicts New Crypto ATHs in 2026; XRP Targets $8 Forecasts Reappear
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse told CNBC he is "very bullish" and expects the crypto market to reach new all-time highs in 2026, citing rising institutional adoption and the prospect of favourable U.S. regulation (the Clarity Act). Garlinghouse did not name specific price targets for assets, but expressed confidence that institutional interest is not yet fully priced into markets. The remarks come amid recent market weakness: Bitcoin slipped below $90,000 after an early-January breakout failed, and XRP has retraced roughly 47.7% from its July 2025 peak of $3.65 to trade near $1.91. Analysts and firms — notably Standard Chartered — have previously projected XRP could reach $8 in 2026, a forecast that market commentators often cite alongside Ripple leadership optimism. The U.S. regulatory backdrop remains uncertain: Coinbase abruptly withdrew support for the crypto market structure bill, prompting a Senate hearing postponement, though former President Trump said he hopes to sign the bill soon. Key points for traders: bullish executive commentary could lift sentiment; macro and regulatory developments (Clarity Act, exchange positions) remain primary drivers; XRP has significant recent volatility and high upside forecasts but also large retracement risk.
Bullish
The net impact is categorised as bullish because a public, optimistic endorsement from Ripple’s CEO reinforces positive market sentiment and highlights two bullish drivers: expected institutional adoption and potential favourable U.S. regulation (Clarity Act). Such commentary can spur increased speculative buying and higher risk-on flows, particularly for XRP and other liquid large-cap cryptocurrencies. Historical parallels: positive leadership statements or regulatory clarity (or expectations thereof) have previously preceded rally phases — for example, regulatory progress and major institutional flows helped drive crypto rallies in prior cycles. However, risks remain: Coinbase’s withdrawal of support for the market-structure bill and ongoing macro volatility could mute or temporarily reverse gains. Short-term impact: likely a sentiment-driven uplift in XRP and related markets, increased volatility, and episodic rallies on news flow. Long-term impact: if institutional demand and clearer regulation materialise, fundamentals for higher market caps strengthen, supporting sustained appreciation. Traders should monitor regulatory headlines, institutional product launches, on-chain flows, and XRP liquidity/volume, and use risk management for potential sharp retracements given XRP’s recent ~48% pullback from its 2025 peak.