Ripple CEO Predicts Bitcoin Could Reach $180,000 by Late 2026

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026. He made the forecast during a panel with Solana Foundation President Lily Liu and Binance CEO Richard Teng at Binance Blockchain Week.

Garlinghouse said broader adoption, long-term investment strategies and continued demand for Bitcoin as an asset are key factors in his estimate.

Liu said a price above $100,000 is reasonable within the same period if current participation continues. She noted that Bitcoin markets now react faster to new investment flows than they did in previous years.

Teng did not give a price estimate. He said he focuses on business expansion and regulatory progress instead of short-term market reactions. According to Teng, more regulated institutions entering the sector has changed how Bitcoin responds to changes in global financial policy.

Bitcoin was trading around $93,000 at the time of the event, after recording an all-time high above $126,000 two months ago.

Panel members listed developments that could affect Bitcoin pricing through 2026:

• Growth in trading volumes through exchange-traded products
• Increased participation from large asset managers
• Mining changes following the most recent halving
• Lower borrowing costs if central banks continue rate cuts

Garlinghouse said digital assets with clear legal recognition will draw more investment from traditional firms. Liu added that improvements in network performance and new applications across major blockchains will continue to influence investor decisions.

All three speakers agreed that Bitcoin’s established infrastructure and liquidity keep it in a leading role in the digital asset market.

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