Despite a mixed performance in the early weeks of 2026, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains optimistic about the future of crypto markets, predicting new record highs for digital assets this year. 

Ripple CEO Optimistic About Long-Term XRP Potential

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Garlinghouse noted that recent regulatory developments, including the landmark GENIUS Act, have “unlocked a lot of activity” in the sector.

When asked about crypto performance during an interview with CNBC, Garlinghouse confidently stated, “I’m very bullish, and yes, I’ll go on record as saying, I think we’ll see an all-time high.” 

He emphasized that major financial institutions are increasingly showing interest in cryptocurrencies, labeling this shift as a “massive sea change.” However, he believes that this development is not fully reflected in current market prices.

Despite his optimistic outlook, XRP, Ripple’s associated cryptocurrency, was trading at $1.88 and had experienced a notable 13% decline over the past week. The current market performance has led analysts to speculate about the possibility of a new bear market on the horizon. 

Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in the long-term potential of the XRP ecosystem, stating, “We are a very vested party in what goes on in the XRP ecosystem. In another five or 10 years, you’re going to see continued, very positive momentum.”

Garlinghouse Confident CLARITY Act Will Pass

Garlinghouse also anticipated that 2026 would see significant use cases for digital assets, mentioning that cryptocurrency exchange Binance is likely to re-enter the US market. 

He asserted that the GENIUS Act would facilitate the growth of stablecoins, potentially making operations like payroll more efficient. He believes cryptocurrencies are well-positioned for growth over the next decade.

Regarding the crypto market structure bill, or the CLARITY Act, a vital framework for regulating crypto, Garlinghouse voiced confidence that it will eventually succeed. “It’ll get done. We are as close as we have ever been,” he said. 

However, the proposed market structure bill has encountered significant challenges, particularly after key provisions came under scrutiny. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong withdrew support for the bill just 24 hours before an anticipated markup scheduled for January 15, leading to a postponement of the process.

Garlinghouse was taken aback by Armstrong’s strong opposition to the CLARITY Act, noting that “the rest of the industry, including exchanges that compete with Coinbase, were still supporting it.” 

The executive claimed that he still remains hopeful that industry leaders can navigate the current legislative impasse. “If we want the industry to continue to grow, we need things like the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act,” he affirmed.

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com 

A recent report from CNBC reveals that Binance’s co-CEO, Richard Teng, is contemplating a return to the US market after exiting in 2023 as part of a regulatory agreement that also resulted in the departure of the exchange’s former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ). 

Ripple CEO Predicts Positive Impact From Binance’s Return

During an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Teng emphasized that Binance is taking a “wait-and-see” stance regarding its reentry into the US, a market he considers “very important.”

In tandem with Teng’s comments, Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, shared his optimistic outlook for the world’s leading exchange comeback in a separate interview with CNBC. 

Garlinghouse remarked that the US market is significant and suggested that Binance had previously been a major player within it. “I think they’ll come back because they’re a capitalistic, innovative company that wants to solve larger market challenges and continue to grow,” he stated.

Not only that, but Garlinghouse also believes that Binance’s entry into the country’s cryptocurrency market could increase competition and ultimately attract more users. He noted: 

I think it will actually have the positive impact of bringing more people into the market, in part because it’ll reduce pricing. Today their pricing is lower on a global basis than what we see here in the U.S.

Teng, Garlinghouse Call For Support Of Key Crypto Bills

The discussion of Binance’s future in the US comes amidst a turbulent regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies. The recent cancellation of the crucial markup for the crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, reflects ongoing challenges. 

Teng, a former regulator himself, weighed in on the state of US crypto regulations, asserting that “any regulation will be better than no regulation.” He explained that having regulatory clarity allows companies to navigate the framework effectively. 

“Once you have clarity, you can then start working around those rules,” Teng added, acknowledging that initial regulations may not be perfect but can be refined over time.

This backdrop of regulatory uncertainty is further complicated by recent developments in the industry. The CEO of Coinbase, Brian Armstrong, stepped back from supporting the crypto market structure bill just 24 hours before its markup, leading to its eventual suspension. 

Garlinghouse, who continues to support the bill in its latest form, was surprised by Armstrong’s “vehemence” against the CLARITY Act. He noted that “the rest of the industry, including exchanges that compete with Coinbase, were still supporting it.”

Looking ahead, Garlinghouse is hopeful that industry leaders will find a way to overcome the current impasse. “If we want the industry to continue to grow, we need things like the Genius Act and the Clarity Act,” he affirmed.

At the time of writing, Binance’s native token, Binance Coin (BNB), had dropped to $893.65, marking a 3.7% decline over the previous 24 hours. Ripple’s associated XRP token retraced towards $1.90, suffering even greater losses of 5.5% in the same time frame. 

Featured image from OpenArt, chart from TradingView.com