Brad Garlinghouse projects a transformative 2026 for Ripple and XRP after a successful 2025 close

In a communication addressed to shareholders regarding quarterly performance, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has issued an exceptionally positive outlook for the end of 2025 and outlined growing ambitions for 2026. The executive’s statement reflects a period of strategic consolidation for the crypto company after months of decisive corporate moves.

A historic 2025: how Brad Garlinghouse evaluates Ripple’s performance

Garlinghouse characterized Ripple’s performance during 2025 as “extremely successful,” particularly in the fourth quarter. The CEO used a sports analogy to gauge the achievement, comparing the company’s business performance for the year to the legendary trajectory of NFL quarterback Tom Brady. This analogy aims to convey the magnitude of success the company has achieved in a complex regulatory and competitive environment.

The positivity of the annual report contrasts with previous years marked by regulatory uncertainty and market pressure faced by Ripple. The end of 2025 represents a turning point in solidifying its position within the digital asset ecosystem.

Strategic acquisitions: accelerators of the “Internet of Value” goal

A central component of 2025’s success was the execution of two significant acquisitions: Ripple Prime and GTreasury. According to Brad Garlinghouse’s analysis, these corporate moves have served as catalysts that accelerate and expand the company’s vision.

Both acquisitions align with Ripple’s long-term strategy: positioning XRP as a core asset in what the company calls the “Internet of Value”—a concept envisioning a global interconnected financial system through blockchain technology and crypto assets. These corporate investments significantly enhance Ripple’s operational capacity to achieve this ambitious goal.

Regulatory strength: new EMI license consolidates global position

Ripple’s regulatory license portfolio has seen notable expansion. Garlinghouse highlighted that the company possesses “one of the most comprehensive license portfolios” in the sector, and has added a new strategically relevant credential: the Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license obtained from the UK.

This European regulatory credential is particularly important in the context of 2026, where regulatory clarity in key jurisdictions will be a decisive factor for institutional adoption of digital assets. Holding multiple licenses across different regions positions Ripple as a more resilient regulatory player compared to competitors.

Vision for 2026: XRP and RLUSD as pillars of long-term crypto infrastructure

Looking ahead to 2026, Brad Garlinghouse has stated that the year is shaping up to be an “even more fruitful” period for Ripple than the one just concluded. The corporate strategy emphasizes building durable crypto infrastructure and transforming the global financial system—processes that “require time,” according to the CEO.

The company will focus on what XRP and RLUSD—the Ripple stablecoin—can achieve in the medium and long term, prioritizing institutional adoption and real use cases over market cyclicality. This positioning reflects Ripple’s strategic maturation as an infrastructure entity rather than a speculative platform.

Garlinghouse’s statement underscores that 2026 will be a year of regulatory gains, expanded practical utility of XRP in cross-border value transfers, and deepening of the “Internet of Value” vision that defines Ripple’s roadmap.