Binance Blockchain Week Ignites Crypto Optimism: Ripple CEO’s $180K Bitcoin Forecast vs. Solana’s Cautious Stance

At the recent Binance Blockchain Week, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse delivered a highly bullish prediction for Bitcoin, forecasting a price target of $180,000 by 2026. This bold outlook, shared on December 5, 2025, stands in stark contrast to a more conservative perspective often associated with other ecosystems like Solana. Garlinghouse's optimism is primarily fueled by two converging factors: improving regulatory clarity in the United States and accelerating institutional adoption, evidenced by major traditional finance players like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton entering the digital asset space. His statement comes at a pivotal moment for Bitcoin, which is currently trading at approximately $93,342. This price point represents a notable 26% pullback from its recent all-time high of $126,000, a correction attributed to ongoing market volatility that has triggered significant deleveraging and liquidations across exchanges. The juxtaposition of Ripple's leadership expressing extreme confidence in Bitcoin's long-term trajectory against the backdrop of a cooling market highlights the dynamic and often divergent narratives shaping the cryptocurrency sector. This event underscores Binance's role as a central platform for major industry announcements and debates that set the tone for market sentiment and future expectations.

Ripple CEO's $180K Bitcoin Prediction Contrasts With Solana's Conservative Outlook

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made waves at Binance Blockchain Week with a bold prediction that Bitcoin will reach $180,000 by 2026. His Optimism stems from improving U.S. regulatory clarity and institutional adoption by firms like BlackRock and Franklin Templeton.

The forecast comes as Bitcoin trades at $93,342—26% below its recent all-time high of $126,000. Market volatility has triggered significant deleveraging, wiping out billions in Leveraged positions.

Solana Foundation President Lily Liu offered a more restrained outlook, projecting Bitcoin at $100,000 by 2026. Binance CEO Richard Teng avoided specific price targets, emphasizing long-term fundamentals over short-term movements.

These divergent views from crypto leaders highlight the market's valuation uncertainties amid institutional adoption and regulatory evolution.

Binance Bitcoin Reserves Dwindle as ETFs and Self-Custody Drain Exchange Supply

Bitcoin breached $93,000 amid vigorous buying activity, yet a curious divergence emerged: Binance's BTC reserves continue shrinking. On-chain data reveals coins migrating to private wallets and institutional custodians—a trend historically associated with long-term price appreciation.

The supply squeeze intensifies as US spot ETFs absorb circulating coins. BlackRock and other issuers now hold assets with trusted custodians rather than exchanges, further reducing liquid supply. Market mechanics suggest this could amplify upward pressure during demand surges.

CryptoQuant analysts note Binance's reserve decline mirrors past re-accumulation phases. 'When coins exit exchanges, they typically enter stronger hands,' remarked one trader. The phenomenon coincides with Bitcoin's 14% monthly gain, suggesting holders anticipate higher valuations.

Florida Court Revives $80M Lawsuit Against Binance Over Bitcoin Theft Allegations

A Florida appeals court has reignited a legal battle against Binance, allowing an $80 million lawsuit to proceed over allegations the exchange failed to freeze stolen Bitcoin. Plaintiff Michael Osterer claims Binance negligently allowed laundering of assets stolen from his account, breaching contractual obligations.

The ruling challenges jurisdictional boundaries, asserting that offshore exchanges like Binance can face state-level claims when sufficient local ties exist. This opens the door for similar cases previously dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.

Legal pressure mounts as Binance faces multiple lawsuits alleging security failures. The exchange's purported inability to lock stolen funds has become a recurring theme in litigation across US jurisdictions.

Humanity Protocol Token Crashes 35% After Binance Alpha Airdrop Floods Market

The second wave of Binance Alpha's airdrop on December 3 triggered a sharp sell-off in Humanity Protocol (H), with the token plunging 35% from $0.1159 to $0.07680. The drop erased short-term gains, leaving the market cap at $168.91 million—one of the steepest corrections since its June 2025 listing.

Airdrop recipients rushed to liquidate their 295 H tokens, claiming them for just 15 Alpha Points each. The sudden supply influx overwhelmed demand, exacerbating the decline. Prior to the event, H had traded in a tight range between $0.13 and $0.112, but the sell-off shattered this consolidation.

Market psychology played a key role. Binance Alpha's promotional cycles initially drove H's rally, but the airdrop's design—time-limited claims and first-come-first-served allocation—fueled panic selling. Traders now watch for whether the token stabilizes or faces further downside as speculative pressure unwinds.

Shark Wallets Propel ETH Recovery as Price Nears $3,200

Ethereum's resurgence to $3,207.23 reflects sustained accumulation by mid-tier holders, with wallets holding 1K-10K ETH driving 2025's demand. Shark wallets now anchor market stability as whale activity plateaus—a divergence from previous cycles where institutional buyers led rallies.

Derivatives markets echo renewed confidence, with Binance ETH leverage hitting record highs. The asset outperforms top-10 peers with a 5% daily gain, maintaining its 0.034 BTC valuation. Self-custody wallets absorbed 25.9M ETH since June, signaling retail capitulation to shark-dominated accumulation.

Unlike October's stagnant treasury demand, private wallets exhibit vertical accumulation. This grassroots momentum positions ETH uniquely—bridging DeFi primacy with ETF adoption while decoupling from altcoin volatility.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Predicts Bitcoin to Hit $180,000 by 2026

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has made a bullish prediction for Bitcoin, forecasting a price of $180,000 by the end of 2026. Speaking at Binance Blockchain Week alongside solana Foundation President Lily Liu and Binance CEO Richard Teng, Garlinghouse cited improving regulatory clarity in the U.S. as a key driver for his optimism.

Liu echoed the sentiment, suggesting bitcoin could stabilize around $90,000 before pushing past $100,000. The crypto market, however, has faced recent turbulence, with over $20 billion in leveraged Bitcoin positions liquidated in October. Bitcoin remains 30% below its all-time high, briefly dipping 8% earlier in the week before recovering above $90,000.

Market data indicates a cautious shift among traders, with increased rotation into stablecoins rather than aggressive dip-buying. Garlinghouse emphasized the significance of macro tailwinds and regulatory progress, noting the U.S. accounts for 22% of global GDP. "The current moment represents a risk-off period after an excited risk-on phase," he remarked.