Crypto Markets Poised to Reach All-Time Highs in 2026, Says Ripple CEO
Davos, Switzerland – January 21, 2026
Cryptocurrency markets are on track to reach unprecedented heights this year, according to Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, one of the leading companies in the blockchain and digital payments space. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Garlinghouse expressed strong optimism about the sector’s growth trajectory.
“I’m very bullish, and yes, I’ll go on record as saying, I think we’ll see an all-time high,” Garlinghouse told CNBC in an interview. This confident outlook comes following Bitcoin’s remarkable peak at approximately $126,000 in October 2025. Currently, Bitcoin is trading around $89,000. ### Regulatory Momentum Driving Growth
Garlinghouse pointed to significant regulatory developments as catalysts that have "unlocked a lot of activity" within the cryptocurrency market. Notably, the enactment of the GENIUS Act last June has set clearer guardrails for the industry. This legislation requires full reserve backing and monthly audits for stablecoins, instilling greater transparency and trust.
Moreover, Ripple’s recent legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has fortified confidence in the market. The SEC dismissed a four-year lawsuit accusing Ripple of unlawfully raising $1.3 billion through unregistered sales of its XRP token. Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, emphasized the significance of this win, stating, “Ripple stands alone as the company that fought back — and won on essential legal questions.”
Institutional Interest Yet to Be Reflected in Prices
Despite rising enthusiasm, Garlinghouse noted that the interest from major financial institutions in cryptocurrency is not yet fully factored into current market valuations. “Major financial institutions showing interest in crypto is a massive sea change. I don’t think that’s priced into the crypto market as much as I would have expected right now,” he said.
XRP, Ripple’s native token, has been at the forefront of this month’s crypto rally, trading near $1.90. While Standard Chartered analysts have predicted prices as high as $8 in 2026 and $12.50 by 2028, Garlinghouse refrained from making price forecasts. Instead, he highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to the XRP ecosystem’s positive momentum over the next five to ten years.
Emerging Use Cases and Market Expansion
Looking ahead, Garlinghouse identified key trends likely to shape the crypto space this year. He anticipates Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, will re-enter the U.S. market—a move expected to further stimulate trading volumes and market confidence.
The CEO also underscored the potential for stablecoins to scale significantly under the clarity provided by the GENIUS Act. Stablecoins could enhance operational efficiencies in areas such as payroll and cross-border payments.
Finally, Garlinghouse expressed optimism about the passage of the Clarity Act, a proposed regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. “It’ll get done. We are as close as we have ever been,” he remarked, signaling a possible turning point for comprehensive crypto regulation in the United States.
A Decade of Growth Ahead
In summing up the outlook for digital assets, Garlinghouse conveyed a vision of sustained expansion: “Cryptocurrencies are settling into a really nice opportunity to grow for the next 10 years.” His bold forecast of new all-time highs epitomizes growing confidence in the maturing crypto ecosystem driven by regulatory advances, institutional adoption, and innovative use cases.
— Reported by CNBC with contributions from Ari Levy, Arjun Kharpal, and MacKenzie Sigalos
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