Bitcoin eyes $180k by 2026

Institutional demand, ETF inflows and shifting regulation are reshaping the crypto landscape, with ripple prediction narratives now tied closely to Bitcoin’s long-term trajectory.

Brad Garlinghouse sets $180,000 Bitcoin target for 2026

At Binance Blockchain Week, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse delivered one of his boldest forecasts yet, saying Bitcoin could hit $180,000 by the end of 2026. He shared the stage with Solana Foundation President Lily Liu and Binance CEO Richard Teng, who both backed a broadly constructive outlook for digital assets.

Garlinghouse said he is more optimistic about crypto than at any time in recent years. He cited improving regulatory clarity in the United States as a key driver of confidence. However, he also warned that the market is still digesting a sharp shift in risk appetite after a period of intense speculative activity.

Liu argued that Bitcoin remains fundamentally strong even around the $90,000 mark. She suggested prices are likely to move beyond $100,000 over time, framing current levels as part of a broader uptrend rather than a blow-off top.

Market reset after leveraged washout and October pullback

Garlinghouse described the current environment as a “risk-off” phase following an “excited risk-on” period. In early October, the crypto market suffered a sharp pullback, with more than $20 billion in leveraged Bitcoin positions wiped out. Moreover, funding rates turned negative across major derivatives platforms, signaling a sudden shift in trader sentiment.

The leading cryptocurrency is now about 30% below its record high after dropping nearly 8% earlier in the week, before recovering above $90,000. However, instead of aggressively buying the dip, data indicates traders are rotating into stablecoins, a trend Garlinghouse called an increasingly important market signal.

According to him, the macro tailwinds heading into 2026 are the strongest he has seen in years. He argued that this backdrop makes the current consolidation potentially constructive, even if short-term volatility unsettles retail participants.

Regulatory clarity and real-world crypto applications

Garlinghouse again pointed to clearer rules in the worlds largest economy as a major catalyst. The US accounts for roughly 22% of global GDP, and he stressed that consistent policy from such a large market can unlock substantial institutional capital. Moreover, he said the industry is gradually shifting away from speculative trading toward products that solve tangible problems.

He highlighted the rise of new, easier-to-use applications that allow people and businesses to access crypto without handling complex infrastructure. In his view, these tools are helping transform digital assets from pure trading chips into instruments for payments, settlement and value transfer.

Additionally, Liu framed the recent correction as a “normal” adjustment after a liquidity-driven rally. She noted that irrational surges almost always lead to pullbacks. Teng agreed that the latest swings are uncomfortable but insisted the longer-term trajectory for the asset class remains “overwhelmingly positive.” That said, he acknowledged that education and risk management are still lagging institutional appetite.

Volatility, institutions and current Bitcoin price action

Teng stressed that price swings are not exclusive to crypto. “Volatility isn’t unique to crypto—it is across asset classes,” he said, arguing that digital assets are simply moving through the same adoption curve other markets experienced. However, he underlined that the institutional side is evolving quickly.

“Institutions are coming in a big way. We have seen institutional onboarding double last year, and double again this year,” Teng added, underscoring accelerating institutional crypto adoption. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is trading steadily with a modest 0.62% gain, changing hands around $93,465 at the time of the discussion.

This backdrop helps explain why the latest ripple prediction for the broader crypto space leans bullish despite short-term profit-taking and leverage washouts. The speakers collectively framed the volatility as part of a maturation phase rather than the end of the cycle.

ETF growth and Garlinghouse’s outlook for inflows

Beyond price targets, Garlinghouse focused on the rapid growth of crypto ETFs. Currently, he noted, only about 1% to 2% of the total ETF market is made up of digital asset products. However, he expects that share to rise meaningfully over the next year as more institutions seek regulated exposure.

“I will bet anybody here that a year from now that will be more than 1 or 2%. There is going to continue to be inflows,” he said. He emphasized that many large players are starting with small allocations but plan to scale them gradually as they gain comfort with custody, liquidity and regulatory oversight.

Surging XRP ETF activity and comparative flows

Garlinghouse highlighted recent demand for XRP ETFs. More than $700 million has flowed into these products over the last 2 to 3 weeks, which he described as “pent-up demand” from institutions and other investors who want exposure without managing self-custody. Moreover, he said this wave is only the beginning as traditional platforms expand their crypto offerings.

In total, XRP ETFs have accumulated $874 million in inflows since XRPC’s inception. This performance has made spot XRP funds the best-performing vehicles across the current crypto ETF fleet. However, flows remain uneven across the sector, underlining how investors are selectively positioning rather than buying the entire market.

At the beginning of the week, Bitcoin ETFs saw net inflows of $8.48 million. In contrast, Ethereum funds suffered more than $79 million in outflows, while SOL-focused products recorded about $13.55 million in withdrawals. According to Liu, “There is always a bright spot. Some ETFs are seeing inflows every single day. Not all parts of the market behave the same.”

Garlinghouse’s long-term vision into 2026

Looking ahead, Garlinghouse reiterated that the macro environment, regulatory shifts and ETF growth form a powerful combination for crypto’s next phase. He believes these forces support his view that Bitcoin can climb toward $180,000 by 2026, even if the path remains volatile. Moreover, he argued that growing ETF volumes and XRP ETF inflows show that institutional capital is far from exhausted.

In summary, the panel’s remarks suggest that, despite corrections and leverage flushes, structural adoption trends are intact. If macro tailwinds persist and regulation continues to clarify, the conditions underpinning bold forecasts like his ripple prediction could remain in place well beyond 2026.