Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, speaking with CNBC at the Davos Forum, has shared a strongly bullish vision for the cryptocurrency market in 2026. He predicts the market will reach a new all-time high this year. This forecast follows Bitcoin's recent surge past the $89,000 threshold, signaling growing investor interest.
Garlinghouse stated that the market momentum reflects enthusiasm from both retail and institutional investors. He emphasized that, despite volatility, the long-term potential of digital assets remains solid. His confidence indicates a positive outlook toward mass adoption and greater acceptance of cryptocurrencies.
Bitcoin is leading the recovery, with a market capitalization of $1.71 trillion. Recent charts show Bitcoin has risen steadily from early January levels. Analysts suggest this upward movement could positively impact other major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and XRP. During the CNBC interview, Garlinghouse highlighted charts showing Bitcoin's recent gains, which many view as a benchmark for overall crypto market sentiment.
The crypto community reacted swiftly to Garlinghouse's prediction. XRP supporters endorsed his bullish view, foreseeing strong growth potential for their preferred cryptocurrency. Others pointed to altcoins like Solana as opportunities in a recovering market.
Garlinghouse's comments come against a backdrop of improving regulatory clarity. The article notes that XRP typically reacts to regulatory optimism, jumping roughly 8–10% after confirmations that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would drop its appeal in its long-running lawsuit against Ripple. This legal clarity is seen as unlocking fundamentals such as U.S. exchange relistings, custody support, and the potential for spot XRP ETFs.
Behind the scenes, Ripple is expanding its business, having agreed to acquire prime broker Hidden Road for approximately $1.25 billion. This move aims to connect institutional capital from hedge funds and banks to the XRP Ledger, supporting Garlinghouse's long-term institutional adoption view.
While price forecasts are not certain and macro shocks can affect crypto, Garlinghouse's declaration for 2026 conveys a message of strong optimism, suggesting the year could be a turning point for the industry with Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies driving adoption and investor interest.
