Brad Garlinghouse Predicts Bitcoin Will Double by 2026
Bitcoin overcomes recent weakness; Ripple CEO bullish on BTC’s future
As of December 12, 2025, Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades around $89,350, showing slight declines amid a mixed cryptocurrency market where Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and several meme coins suffered minor losses. However, despite these fluctuations, notable optimism surrounds Bitcoin’s outlook going forward.
Ripple CEO’s Bold Forecast at Binance Blockchain Week
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple and a prominent figure in the crypto industry, has shared a confident prediction regarding Bitcoin’s price trajectory. Speaking at the recent Binance Blockchain Week, Garlinghouse expressed strong belief that Bitcoin’s value will double to approximately $180,000 by 2026. This forecast is striking, particularly coming from the leader of Ripple — a major competitor in the digital assets space — and it contrasts with the more cautious or varied expectations held by other crypto leaders and analysts. While some, such as investment manager Cathy Wood, foresee significant growth for Bitcoin in the long term, their shorter-term target prices have been revised downward.
Market Experts Adjust Expectations for 2025
Many experts had set Bitcoin price predictions around $150,000 for 2025, but these targets appear increasingly out of reach as the crypto market faces ongoing volatility and regulatory challenges. Bitcoin trading volumes and price movements have struggled to gain clear momentum in recent months, influenced partly by factors such as the Federal Reserve’s monetary policies.
Potential US Economic Policy Impact on Bitcoin
In the broader economic context, attention is turning to upcoming shifts within the United States Federal Reserve leadership. With Jerome Powell’s term concluding, President Trump is expected to announce a successor early in 2026. Speculation surrounds economist Kevin Hasset as a possible candidate, known for advocating aggressive interest rate cuts to stimulate economic growth.
Should Hasset assume the role of Fed Chair, Garlinghouse believes that Bitcoin stands to benefit significantly from a more accommodative monetary environment favoring risk assets like cryptocurrencies.
Optimism Rooted in Regulation and Institutional Demand
Garlinghouse’s bullish stance is also rooted in anticipated improvements in regulatory clarity within the U.S. crypto sector and increasing interest from institutional investors. He sees these factors as key catalysts that could ignite a robust rally in Bitcoin’s price throughout 2026. This optimism stands in contrast to more conservative voices in the industry. For instance, Geoff Kendrick, Head of Digital Assets at Standard Chartered, recently lowered his price targets and suggested that Bitcoin might face a phase of consolidation rather than a swift price surge, highlighting uncertainties in the sector.
Current Market Snapshot
- Bitcoin (BTC): $89,350 (-0.96%)
- Ethereum (ETH): $3,093 (-0.66%)
- Solana (SOL): $131 (-1.54%)
- Ripple (XRP): $2.00 (-1.79%)
- Binance Coin (BNB): $890 (+0.05%)
- Popular Meme Tokens: PEPE, SHIB, DOGE showing modest declines.
The market’s cap remains around $3.2 trillion, indicating sustained overall interest but tempered enthusiasm.
As the crypto market carefully watches regulatory developments and the Federal Reserve’s leadership changes, the debate continues on Bitcoin’s near-term price potential. With a seasoned industry figure like Brad Garlinghouse forecasting a doubling in value by next year, investors and enthusiasts alike will be closely monitoring how these predictions unfold.
Written by Georg Steiner, CryptoNews, December 12, 2025
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