Ripple Chief Executive Officer Brad Garlinghouse expressed his optimism regarding the digital asset market during the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, predicting that the sector will achieve new all-time highs within the next year, according to a report from CoinDesk.
Speaking in the context of global economic and policy discussions, Garlinghouse argued that the market has yet to reflect the scale of institutional participation now taking shape. According to his assessment, current valuations do not adequately account for how large financial institutions engage with crypto-related infrastructure and services.
His comments come at a time when digital assets remain volatile but continue to attract attention from policymakers, banks, and asset managers attending the annual forum. Garlinghouse emphasized that the next phase of growth will be driven less by retail speculation and more by structural adoption across financial markets.
UPDATE: @Ripple CEO @bgarlinghouse at Davos says he expects the crypto market to hit a new all-time high and institutional adoption is not priced in by the market as much as he expected. pic.twitter.com/UjjX5kZWkg
— CoinDesk (@CoinDesk) January 22, 2026
Regulation and Policy as Catalysts
A central element of Garlinghouse’s outlook is regulatory clarity, particularly in the United States. He pointed to the passage of the GENIUS Act in 2025 as a critical development that has provided clearer rules for stablecoins and other digital assets.
In his view, this legislation has removed long-standing uncertainty that previously limited participation from major institutions, enabling them to move forward with greater confidence.
Garlinghouse also highlighted what he described as a meaningful shift in U.S. policy toward digital assets under the current administration. He noted that a more constructive regulatory stance has reduced friction between regulators and the crypto industry, creating conditions that are more supportive of innovation and large-scale deployment.
Institutional Adoption and Infrastructure Focus
At Davos, Garlinghouse stressed that discussions among governments and financial institutions have evolved. Rather than questioning whether tokenization and blockchain-based settlement will occur, the focus has moved to implementation and scalability. He identified wholesale financial markets, cross-border payments, and settlement systems as areas where adoption is progressing most rapidly.
This emphasis on infrastructure reflects a broader reassessment of digital assets as long-term financial tools rather than short-term trading instruments. Garlinghouse indicated that this institutional realignment is still developing and, as a result, is not yet fully reflected in market pricing.
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Market Conditions and Forward Outlook
Garlinghouse’s remarks were made against a complex market backdrop. As of January 2026, Bitcoin was trading near $89,000, below its October 2025 peak of about $126,000, while XRP was changing hands around $1.95 after reaching $2.40 earlier in the month.
The total cryptocurrency market capitalization had rebounded above $3.15 trillion, despite recent volatility that included approximately $1.8 billion in liquidations linked to instability in Japanese bond markets.
While declining to offer specific price targets, Garlinghouse has stated publicly that he expects 2026 to be the strongest year on record for the crypto sector. Analysts attending the forum echoed that optimism, citing projections that extend well beyond current levels, reinforcing his view that institutional adoption remains underappreciated by the market.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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