While short-term fluctuations in the cryptocurrency markets occupy the agenda, the messages from Ripple show that 2026 is viewed from a broader perspective. In his new year evaluation, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized that the company’s focus is on generating sustainable value through XRP and RLUSD, not temporary market cycles. According to Garlinghouse, 2025 marks a critical turning point where Ripple’s long-term strategy begins to yield tangible results.
Ripple’s 2025 Performance and Strategic Moves
While Garlinghouse described the year 2025 as “decisive” in terms of company history, he compared this period to the peak years of NFL legend Tom Brady’s career. Stating that the momentum Ripple has achieved is not a coincidence, the CEO stated that it is a result of planned investments over the years. The basis of these investments is the goal of realizing the “Internet of Value” vision.
Two major acquisitions completed in 2025 became important building blocks of this vision. Ripple made its biggest expansion moves to date by acquiring GTreasury for $1 billion and Ripple Prime (formerly Hidden Road) for approximately $1.25 billion. Thanks to these acquisitions, Ripple has significantly increased its capacity to deliver cross-border value transfers faster, at lower cost, and at enterprise scale.
Garlinghouse made it clear that XRP is at the center of this entire strategy. Emphasizing that XRP is the “heartbeat” of the Ripple ecosystem, the CEO reiterated that the token will maintain its fundamental role for efficient value transfer in global markets.
Regulatory Strengthening and Prospects for 2026
One of the biggest advantages Ripple has going into 2026 is regulatory progress. The company expanded its license portfolio, especially with the Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license it received from the United Kingdom. According to Garlinghouse, this has made Ripple one of the companies with the most comprehensive regulatory infrastructure in the industry.
These developments coincide with the recent search for regulatory clarity in the crypto industry. For example, the entry into force of MiCA regulations in the European Union and the testing of blockchain-based payment systems by some central banks in Asia strengthen the hand of infrastructure-focused projects such as Ripple. In the same period, major banks’ acceleration of stablecoin integrations also draws attention to the potential of assets such as RLUSD.
On the market side, XRP made a strong start to 2026. Although the token, which rose by more than 20 percent in the first days of the year, retreated after reaching $ 2.41, it still maintains its double-digit increase compared to the beginning of the year. RLUSD, on the other hand, exhibited remarkable growth, exceeding the market value of $ 1 billion within a year of its launch.
In short, Ripple’s message is clear: The company focuses on real use cases and long-term integration rather than speculative rises. When regulatory compliance, corporate acquisitions and infrastructure investments come together, Ripple’s claim to be one of the main players in crypto finance in 2026 and beyond becomes stronger.
