Ripple CEO Says Crypto Will Hit New Highs: What Next for BTC USD and XRP Price?

Ben Graham · Janeiro 22

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said crypto markets will reach new all-time highs this year, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Bitcoin has already cooled from its October peak near $126,000 to around $89,000, while the XRP price dropped from its Summer 2025 all-time high of $3.65 to $1.95.

These sharp pullbacks show how quickly prices can swing even in a bull cycle. This call from Garlinghouse lands as governments and big financial firms now treat crypto less like a gamble and more like traditional investment vehicles.

The Ripple CEO’s comments came yesterday (January 21), during a talk at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the same location where President Trump cooled talks of further escalation with NATO and Europe over Denmark.

This de-escalation led to the crypto market pumping by +2.7%, back over $3.15 trillion, as traders took Trump’s words as a signal to return to risk-on assets like crypto.

Brad Garlinghouse just said the quiet part out loud.

“A level playing field is a two-way street.”
Crypto doesn’t get a free pass and neither do banks.

At Davos, Brad also went on record:
“I think we’ll see an all-time high in 2026.”

But the real story isn’t price.
• The… pic.twitter.com/MU7wm72Ff2

— Jungle Inc Crypto News (@jungleincxrp) January 22, 2026

Why is the Ripple CEO So Bullish Right Now, and What Does it Mean for the XRP Price?

During his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Garlinghouse cited regulation finally catching up as a reason he believes crypto will hit new highs in 2026.

The GENIUS Act, passed in June 2025, sets clear rules for stablecoins, which are crypto tokens pegged to stable assets, mostly fiat currencies like the US dollar. Think of stablecoins as Venmo balances that can move 24/7 without a bank holding things up while also taking a huge cut.

For beginners, this matters because clear rules lower the risk of sudden bans or lawsuits. Garlinghouse said this clarity “unlocked a lot of activity” that the market has not yet priced in.

The XRP price is up +2% since yesterday’s conference in Switzerland, and while it hasn’t yet reclaimed its key $2 level, it is trading just below, at $1.95. Another day of positive news, with nothing to spook the markets, and there is a strong chance of a retest of $2 before the weekend.

JUST IN: FDIC unveiled the official application process for banks to issue stablecoins under the GENIUS Act

Clear rules on reserves, governance, and compliance.

Banks now know exactly what’s required for approval. pic.twitter.com/Nt27Y8JFaM

— Real World Asset Watchlist (@RWAwatchlist_) January 20, 2026

EXPLORE: Top Solana Meme Coins to Buy in January 2026

Institutions Are Moving From Watching to Using Crypto

Garlinghouse also flagged a shift in who is buying. Large financial institutions are exploring crypto for payments, tokenized assets, and payroll based on stablecoins. Tokenization means putting real-world assets, like bonds, onto blockchains so they move faster and settle instantly.

Just three days ago, on January 19, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) announced it was developing a 24/7 trading platform for tokenized securities. This move, along with crypto ETFs and publicly traded digital asset treasury firms, is a prime example of how institutions are rapidly adopting crypto and blockchain technology.

This backs up broader institutional adoption trends we track at 99Bitcoins. When big players test crypto rails, liquidity deepens, and price swings calm over time. That is good news for everyday holders who fear wild drops.

What Does This Mean for BTC USD and XRP Price?

Bitcoin sets the tone for the whole market. When leaders talk about new highs, it boosts confidence, but the price still moves in cycles. Pullbacks like the BTC USD drop from $126,000 to $89,000 from October 2025 to today are fairly standard following long uptrends.

XRP adds a separate angle. Ripple spent four years fighting the SEC and won, after paying $150M in legal costs in 2025. XRP price hit a new all-time high of $3.65 in Summer 2025 but has since fallen to under $2, currently trading for $1.95.

At the height of President Trump’s threats to Europe with trade sanctions and escalating talks over Greenland, the XRP ETFs snapped a seven-day streak of positive inflows as investors weighed strong long-term use cases against growing macroeconomic fears.

However, with things seemingly cooling down at the WEF yesterday, Ripple ETFs closed (January 21) in the green, with $7.16M in positive flows, per CoinGlass data.

It isn’t a similar story for Bitcoin ETFs, as the leading digital asset is now on a three-day skid of negative flows, with a combined $1.5Bn+ leaving the various funds in the past three days.

(SOURCE: CoinGlass)

Here’s the Risk Beginners Should Not Ignore

Bold predictions often come from insiders with skin in the game. Garlinghouse runs a company tied closely to XRP’s success, so optimism is expected. Prices can still fall fast if inflation spikes or regulators change direction.

If you are new, treat this as a long-term signal, not a trading tip. Dollar-cost averaging and small position sizes reduce stress. Never use money meant for rent or emergencies.

The next test comes as lawmakers debate additional crypto frameworks and institutions move from pilots to real-world use. If that happens, today’s cautious prices may look very different by year’s end.

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