Ripple's Garlinghouse Predicts Bitcoin May Reach $180K by End of 2026

In a recent discussion at Binance Blockchain Week, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made a bold prediction that Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026. He attributes this potential surge to anticipated regulatory clarity in the U.S., increased institutional investment from major players like BlackRock, and greater real-world adoption of cryptocurrency.

Key Takeaways

Brad Garlinghouse forecasts Bitcoin could hit $180,000 by late 2026.
He emphasizes the importance of U.S. regulatory clarity as a catalyst for growth in the next 12 to 18 months.
Significant participation from institutional investors is reshaping the crypto landscape.
Growing real-world applications of cryptocurrency contribute to the market's sustained growth.
Other industry leaders share similar optimism for Bitcoin's future, despite current market volatility.

Ripple's Garlinghouse: Bitcoin could hit $180,000 by end of 2026 - 1

Garlinghouse's Outlook on Bitcoin's Growth

During his statements, Garlinghouse underscored that enhanced regulatory reform in the U.S. is a crucial driver for Bitcoin's progression over the coming year and a half. He noted that clearer regulations would encourage institutions to invest, which currently have funds waiting on the sidelines due to uncertainties in the legal framework.

The Ripple CEO also mentioned the growing interest from traditional financial institutions in the crypto market. Noteworthy firms such as BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity are now investing resources and creating Bitcoin-related financial products. Garlinghouse described this trend as “long-term, structural participation,” differentiating it from earlier speculative behaviors within the market.

Moreover, Garlinghouse highlighted the increasing real-world use cases for cryptocurrencies, such as payment solutions, tokenization, and the development of Web3 infrastructure. He believes these advancements will fuel ongoing market growth beyond mere trading activity.

Other industry leaders present at the event shared similar sentiments. For instance, Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, anticipated that Bitcoin would achieve a significant price milestone, though she did not specify when this might happen. Additionally, Binance CEO Richard Teng expressed long-term confidence in Bitcoin’s trajectory, while noting that its future performance hinges on macroeconomic liquidity and global adoption rates.

Throughout 2025, Bitcoin has witnessed notable price fluctuations, characterized by sharp corrections followed by swift recoveries. At the moment Garlinghouse made his forecast, Bitcoin was showing signs of recovery. However, some market analysts warned that this rally could be a temporary phase rather than a signal for prolonged upward movement.

As Bitcoin navigated various price levels throughout the year, it reflected the ongoing uncertainty in the market, despite a surge of interest from institutional investors in this emerging asset class.