Ripple CEO: Bitcoin Bull Market Not Over Yet, XRP Aiming for $5

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse believes the bull market is not over yet, and XRP still has the potential to reach new all-time highs. He dismissed the current pessimism surrounding cryptocurrencies, claiming it is only temporary and completely at odds with the fundamentals supporting the market. Garlinghouse predicts that 2026 will usher in the strongest bull run ever, with institutions paving the way for Bitcoin to reach $180,000 and XRP targeting a $5 price point.

Ripple CEO: 2026 Will Be the Biggest Bull Market Year Ever

Brad Garlinghouse believes Bitcoin has not yet fully displayed its bull market potential in this cycle, so predictions for XRP’s price increase could still be accurate. In a recent speech at Binance Blockchain Week, the Ripple CEO expressed strong confidence in the future of the cryptocurrency market, emphasizing that the current market correction is merely a temporary technical pullback, not a trend reversal.

Garlinghouse pointed out that 2026 could become “the most bullish year in crypto market history,” with major institutions paving the way for Bitcoin to hit $180,000. This prediction is not baseless but is based on the convergence of several structural catalysts. First is the shift in US crypto-friendly regulation, unlocking the potential for one-fifth of global GDP to enter the crypto market. As the world’s largest economy, the US’s regulatory shift has a demonstrative effect and will encourage other countries to adopt more open policies.

With the launch of ETFs, institutional demand is only just being tapped. Since the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs at the beginning of 2024, tens of billions of dollars have flowed in, but this is just the start. They have only just begun to penetrate the mainstream market, and traditional asset management giants (rather than digital-native firms) are only beginning to “catch up,” bringing in their massive client bases. The involvement of legacy financial giants like BlackRock and Fidelity means that trillions of dollars in traditional funds are opening up to the crypto market.

Garlinghouse disagrees with the view that ETF demand has peaked, pointing out that crypto products make up just 1-2% of all ETF assets—an extremely small proportion, leaving huge room for growth. The global ETF market exceeds $10 trillion; if crypto ETFs can capture 5-10% of market share, this would inject hundreds of billions or even trillions of new capital into the market. This structural growth in demand underpins the core logic for Bitcoin to reach $180,000 and XRP to push towards $5.

XRP Benefits from Improved Regulatory Environment and Stablecoin Strategy

XRP is a notable beneficiary on the regulatory front. Initiatives like the “GENIUS Stablecoin Act” are paving the way for stablecoins and related infrastructure to go mainstream. Ripple achieved a substantive victory in its years-long lawsuit with the US SEC in 2024, with the court ruling that secondary market sales of XRP do not constitute securities transactions. This decision removed the biggest regulatory obstacle for XRP in the US market and set an important legal precedent for other crypto projects.

Greater regulatory clarity directly translates into expanded business opportunities. Ripple received stablecoin approval in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, further validating this point. Stablecoins are no longer experimental—they are being integrated into the real financial system. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has received approval in multiple jurisdictions and can be used for cross-border payments, trade settlements, and asset tokenization. With the UAE serving as a Middle East financial hub, its approval of Ripple’s stablecoin signals that traditional financial systems are beginning to embrace blockchain payment solutions.

Three Key Structural Advantages for XRP

Regulatory Clarity: SEC lawsuit victory opens the door for compliance in the US market, attracting institutional capital allocation.

Stablecoin Ecosystem: RLUSD approval positions Ripple as a comprehensive solution provider in cross-border payments.

Institutional Adoption: RippleNet has established partnerships with hundreds of financial institutions worldwide, with real-world use cases continuing to expand.

These fundamental improvements provide XRP with long-term value beyond pure speculative demand. Unlike many cryptocurrencies lacking real-world use, XRP has established a substantive business model in cross-border payments. As more banks and payment institutions adopt RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) services, actual demand for XRP will continue to grow.

Technical Analysis: $1.90 Support and $2.70 Breakout Threshold

(Source: Trading View)

A strong launchpad formed in December set the stage for 2026, with robust support converging to prepare for a breakout from a four-month descending channel. The lower bound of this consolidation range is about to be retested, coinciding with the solid bottom level of $1.90 that has supported the market throughout the bull phase. This price level is significant in technical analysis—it is a key support area after the previous breakout and a convergence point for multiple technical indicators.

The technicals are strong, and market momentum indicators may also provide support. Although the most recent attempt failed, the RSI indicator, after weeks of deep oversold conditions, is now testing the neutral line at 50. Market strength is building, indicating a potential bullish reversal. RSI (Relative Strength Index) rebounding from oversold to neutral usually signals that selling pressure has been exhausted and buyers are stepping in.

Although the MACD indicator is about to form a death cross below the signal line, as XRP approaches the confluence zone, this may be only temporary. A MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) death cross is usually seen as bearish, but when it forms near strong support, it often marks a final shakeout before rapidly reversing into a golden cross. This technical setup suggests XRP is nearing the end of its bottoming phase, and once key resistance is broken, upward momentum will be quickly unleashed.

The key breakout point is at $2.70, which previously served as strong support but has recently turned into resistance. If the price reclaims this area, a successful breakout may be confirmed, targeting $3.70—an 80% increase. From a technical perspective, previous support turning into resistance is a common market structure; once this resistance is broken, it often triggers an accelerated rally as trapped holders near this price are released and selling pressure drops significantly.

With US interest rates expected to decline further and institutional investor participation rising, this scenario may expand even more, targeting $5—close to the all-time high, representing a potential 150% gain. $5 is not only a technical target but also a psychological level and a historic reference point. XRP reached an all-time high of $3.84 in January 2018; breaking above $5 would mark XRP entering a new price discovery phase.

Multiple Catalysts for XRP’s 2026 Rally

Combining both fundamentals and technicals, XRP is set to benefit from multiple converging catalysts in 2026. First is the improving macro environment: the Federal Reserve’s rate-cutting cycle lowers the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like crypto and increases market liquidity. Rate cuts typically favor risk assets, and as a high-beta asset, XRP stands to benefit from looser monetary policy.

Secondly, the potential approval of an XRP spot ETF. With the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, the market expects regulators to gradually open up to other major crypto ETFs. Ripple’s victory in its SEC lawsuit removes legal barriers for an XRP ETF application, and several asset managers have expressed interest in launching one. Once approved, it could trigger capital inflows similar to the launch of Bitcoin ETFs.

Third is Ripple’s own business expansion. Beyond traditional cross-border payments, Ripple is actively exploring stablecoins, CBDC consulting, and asset tokenization. The launch of RLUSD stablecoin provides Ripple with a new revenue stream and increases indirect demand for XRP (as a bridge currency in RippleNet).

XRP’s Three-Stage Path to $5

Stage One: Break through $2.70 resistance, confirming the end of the descending channel, targeting $3.70.

Stage Two: Challenge the $3.84 all-time high, establishing a new support zone.

Stage Three: Enter price discovery phase, pushing toward $5 driven by institutional demand and ETF capital.