Ripple CEO Predicts Bitcoin Will Double by 2026 – How High Can XRP Price Go?

Ripple's CEO just dropped a bullish bombshell on the crypto market: Bitcoin is set to double in value by 2026. That's a bold call in any climate, but it's sending shockwaves through the digital asset space. If the king of crypto makes that kind of move, what does it mean for the rest of the court?

The Ripple Effect on XRP

All eyes immediately swing to XRP. It's the perennial contender, the institutional darling with a regulatory war chest and a global payments network. When Bitcoin rallies, altcoins often ride the wave—but XRP isn't just any altcoin. Its fate is uniquely tied to adoption, legal clarity, and its role in bridging traditional finance with blockchain rails. A surging Bitcoin tide could lift all boats, but XRP's engine is built for a different kind of voyage.

Speculation vs. Utility

Let's talk numbers—because in crypto, that's all that really matters to most traders. A doubling of Bitcoin's market cap would create a gravitational pull of epic proportions. Capital would flood in, fear would turn to greed, and narratives would shift overnight. For XRP, the question isn't just about price correlation; it's about whether its fundamental utility story can capture a disproportionate share of that incoming momentum. Can it break free from the pack and chart its own course?

The Real Question for Investors

Forget the moon-shot predictions and lines on a chart. The real intrigue lies in the divergence. If Bitcoin doubles on pure store-of-value narrative and ETF inflows, does XRP's value proposition—settling cross-border payments in seconds for fractions of a cent—become more or less compelling? Or does it get drowned out by the noise? History shows that in a bull market, even the projects backed by actual utility sometimes just get dragged along for the ride—a sobering thought for anyone who thinks fundamentals always win. After all, in traditional finance, they'd call this 'irrational exuberance.' In crypto, we just call it Tuesday.

So, how high can XRP go? If the CEO's prediction holds, the entire market gets a massive adrenaline shot. But XRP's ceiling won't be set by Bitcoin's peak. It'll be determined by whether the world finally decides to use it, not just trade it. Place your bets accordingly.

The pro-crypto regulatory shift in the U.S. has unlocked one-fifth of global GDP, with institutional-level demand only just being tapped into with the introduction of ETFs.

And they have only just permeated the mainstream with traditional asset manager giants outside of digital-native firms playing “catch-up,” introducing their vast clientele.

Garlinghouse rejects the idea that ETF demand has peaked, noting the few crypto offerings represent just 1–2% of all ETF assets, a tiny fraction that leaves enormous upside.

XRP is a standout beneficiary with steps towards regulation, like the GENIUS stablecoin Act, paving the way for its infrastructure, like stablecoins, to become mainstream.

Ripple’s stablecoin approvals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai reinforce that point; stablecoins are no longer experimental, they’re becoming embedded in real financial systems.

XRP Price Prediction: How High Can XRP go in 2026?

December is shaping a strong launchpad into 2026 with a strong confluence of support laying the groundwork for a 4-month descending channel breakout.

The lower boundary of this consolidation is about to be retested, aligning with the level that has provided a firm bottom market throughout the bullish phase of the market cycle at $1.90.

A strong technical setup for a launchpad, and momentum indicators could support it.

While its most recent attempt has ended in rejection, the RSI is now testing the 50 neutral line after weeks in DEEP oversold territory. Strength is building towards a bullish shift.

While the MACD verges on a death cross below the signal line, it may prove short-lived as XRP nears the confluence zone.

The key breakout threshold lies at $2.70, a former strong support level that recently flipped to resistance. Reclaiming this zone could confirm a breakout targeting an.

And with further U.S. interest rate easing expected into and growing institutional involvement, the setup could extend much higher, eyeingin the approach of past all-time highs for a 150% run.

SUBBD: Strong Fundamentals at Their Earliest

With market conditions shaping up for a 2026 bull run, capital is rotating into the next high-upside contender, and increasingly, SUBBD ($SUBBD).

Positioned as an AI-powered content platform, SUBBD is redefining the $85 billion subscriber economy by giving creators true ownership and fans genuine access.

Never miss a sale again.

As a top creator, your audience is global. It's just not possible to cater to everyone – you can't be online 24/7

That's where your personal AI Assistant comes in, to handle requests and secure payments. Sleep peacefully knowing you're making money… pic.twitter.com/ju9VjLBmea

By cutting out the middlemen, $SUBDD puts control back in the hands of those who create real value.

Creators can monetize directly, while fans gain access to exclusive content, early releases, and meaningful interactions through token-gated perks.

The concept is already gaining traction. $SUBBD nears $1.4 million in presale, as investors back the shift toward a decentralized creator economy.

With SUBBD, both sides of the community win — creators earn more, and fans get closer while embracing the decentralization use cases crypto was built for.