Brad Garlinghouse says Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by end-2026, citing U.S. regulatory clarity, institutional capital from giants like BlackRock, and real-world crypto adoption.
Summary
- Garlinghouse links a potential $180,000 Bitcoin to U.S. regulatory reform over the next 12–18 months, which he says will unlock sidelined institutional capital.
- He cites BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity entering Bitcoin as “structural” participation, alongside growth in tokenization, payments, and Web3 infrastructure.
- Other executives at Binance Blockchain Week voiced bullish views but warned that macro liquidity, adoption, and recent volatility could still cap near-term upside.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse predicted Bitcoin (BTC) could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026, citing anticipated regulatory clarity in the United States and increased institutional participation, according to statements made at Binance Blockchain Week.
Garlinghouse identified U.S. regulatory reform as the primary catalyst for Bitcoin growth over the next 12 to 18 months, according to reports from the event. The executive stated that improved regulatory clarity would provide institutions the framework needed to deploy capital that has remained on the sidelines due to legal uncertainty.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse predicts Bitcoin to edge towards $180,000 by 2026
The CEO highlighted the entry of traditional finance institutions into the cryptocurrency market, naming BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity as examples of asset managers now allocating resources and developing Bitcoin-related products. Garlinghouse characterized this development as “long-term, structural participation,” distinguishing it from previous speculative cycles, according to his remarks.
Garlinghouse also pointed to expanding real-world applications across the cryptocurrency ecosystem, including tokenization, payments, and Web3 infrastructure, as factors supporting sustained market growth beyond trading activity.
Other industry executives at the event expressed similar optimism. Lily Liu, President of the Solana Foundation, predicted Bitcoin would surpass a significant price milestone but did not provide a specific timeline, according to reports. Binance CEO Richard Teng expressed long-term confidence in Bitcoin’s trajectory while noting that future performance depends on macroeconomic liquidity conditions and global adoption rates.
Bitcoin experienced significant price volatility throughout 2025, with sharp corrections followed by rapid recoveries, according to market data. At the time of Garlinghouse’s forecast, Bitcoin had staged a recovery, though some market analysts cautioned the rally could represent temporary consolidation rather than sustained upward momentum.
The cryptocurrency traded at varying levels throughout the year, reflecting ongoing market uncertainty despite institutional interest in the asset class.
