Ripple CEO predicts Bitcoin to hit $180K

Bitcoin (BTC) continues to walk a tightrope after weeks of volatile swings. 

Since Oct. 10, BTC has fluctuated between $82,000 and $90,000 — a sharp drop from its early October peak of $126,000. As of Dec. 5, Bitcoin was trading around $91,009.90 at press time, down 1.5% over the past 24 hours, as per CoinGecko.

Despite the recent pullback, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains bullish on the long-term outlook for Bitcoin and the broader crypto market.

Garlinghouse sees $180K Bitcoin by 2026

Speaking at Binance Blockchain Week during a panel on crypto’s future, Garlinghouse predicted Bitcoin could hit $180,000 by the end of 2026.

"I'll say Bitcoin $180,000 on December 31st or 2026."

While he didn’t elaborate on the specifics behind his forecast, the Ripple executive emphasized that continued regulatory progress, the increasing adoption of crypto, and institutions like Vanguard and Franklin Templeton entering the crypto market with ETF offerings in the United States could serve as key catalysts for the next leg of the crypto market’s growth.

“We have been championing regulatory clarity for crypto broadly in what is generally called the CLARITY Act in the United States,” Garlinghouse said.

Although he doesn’t expect the bill to pass this year, he expressed optimism that “sometime in the first half of next year, we’ll see passage of legislation that will continue to unlock and create more tailwinds for the entire industry.” 

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The CLARITY Act and why it matters

The CLARITY Act is a bipartisan proposal designed to establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets in the U.S. It aims to:

• Define how cryptocurrencies and tokens are classified.
• Clarify jurisdictional boundaries between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
• Set operational standards for crypto exchanges, stablecoins, and market participants.

Supporters argue that the bill would give investors, developers, and businesses legal certainty, encouraging innovation and keeping crypto-related jobs within the U.S. rather than overseas.

Related: Ripple is building a 'JPMorgan rival,' says Wall Street CEO