Ripple CEO’s Bold Bitcoin Prediction: $180K by 2026

Another day, another price target from a crypto executive. But this one's got the market buzzing.

The Bullish Case: A Familiar Narrative

Forget fundamentals for a moment—this forecast is pure momentum. It hinges on the same old drivers: institutional adoption, regulatory clarity (or the hope of it), and the ever-present scarcity narrative. The math is simple: if you believe the inflows keep coming, the price has to go somewhere.

The Skeptic's Corner

Let's be real—Wall Street analysts get fired for being this wrong on stock picks. Yet in crypto, a wild guess gets you headlines. It's the ultimate 'trust me, bro' economics, dressed up in a suit and tie. The prediction conveniently ignores black swan events, macro-economic headwinds, and the fact that the market has a PhD in humbling the overconfident.

Why This Time Could Be Different (Or Not)

The machinery behind digital assets is more robust than in previous cycles. Real-world use cases are creeping beyond speculation. But let's not pretend this isn't a high-stakes casino where the house always wins—eventually. The path to six figures won't be a straight line; it'll be a rollercoaster that leaves weak hands behind.

Bottom line: File this under 'ambitious.' It's a great soundbite that fuels the hype cycle. Whether it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy or just another forgotten forecast depends entirely on whether the money shows up—and stays.

Prediction backed by interest from institutional firms

During the panel, Garlinghouse noted that the growing interest from major financial companies is helping Bitcoin. He mentioned that firms like BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity’s involvement is “long-term, structural” rather than just for quick profit. He added that clearer U.S. rules are giving these companies confidence to invest money that they had kept on the side. According to him, these factors provide strong tailwinds for Bitcoin’s growth over the next 12 to 18 months.

Liu gave a more cautious view. She said Bitcoin could go above $100,000 but did not give a specific date. Richard Teng said he believes Bitcoin will grow in the long run but warned that prices depend on how the world economy and adoption change. Garlinghouse added that dips and drops are normal in crypto markets, but long-term trends and rules make the market stronger.

He also talked about real-world uses for crypto. Bitcoin and other digital assets are being used for payments, tokenization, and Web3 projects. 

“There are so many macro factors that are continuing to provide tailwinds for this industry,” Garlinghouse said, meaning many things are helping the crypto market grow. He thinks that more people using crypto and more practical uses will keep the market strong.

Charles Hoskinson predicts $250k by end of 2026

Ethereum co-founder and Input Output CEO Charles Hoskinson shared a more extreme prediction. In a CNBC interview last month, he said Bitcoin could reach $250,000 by the end of 2026. Hoskinson noted that market growth is supported by ETFs, institutional investment, and a rapidly expanding user base.

Hoskinson explained that crypto is more than a financial asset, stating it supports social networks, artificial intelligence, supply chains, and global trade. “There’s no way for these markets to stay depressed forever,” he said, referring to the current macroeconomic challenges.

He discussed the scale of adoption, saying the number of crypto users could grow to over a billion in the coming years. He highlighted that real-world assets, stablecoins, and institutional participation create strong fundamentals. 

Bitcoin’s growth, according to him, is part of a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity that is reshaping finance and technology.

Also Read: Fidelity CEO Discloses Owning BTC, Says It Is the “Gold Standard”