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Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, is drawing market attention by expressing confidence that XRP can overtake Ethereum (ETH) based on its utility and explosive demand.
On April 18 (local time), Garlinghouse emphasized in the crypto media outlet The Crypto Basic that XRP is on a realistic path to catch up with Ethereum in terms of market capitalization. CEO Garlinghouse assessed that XRP has established itself as a neutral financial infrastructure beyond being a mere speculative asset. He presented the approximately 75% growth in stablecoin trading volume, from $19 trillion in 2024 to $33 trillion in 2025, as evidence of infrastructure growth. Garlinghouse added that institutional interest from entities like BlackRock and Vanguard has not yet been fully reflected in the price.
Garlinghouse explained that for XRP to reach parity with Ethereum, its price would need to rise approximately threefold from its current level to $4.6. XRP recently recaptured the 4th position in global market capitalization, surpassing BNB, demonstrating strong momentum. Its 24-hour trading volume surged by 82% to $2.84 billion. This is analyzed not as a simple price rebound but as a result of actual institutional capital inflow. The integration of XRP into Japan's large consumer ecosystem is cited as a key indicator proving its payment utility.
Changes in the regulatory environment are also a powerful catalyst stimulating XRP's demand. Garlinghouse predicted an 80% to 90% chance that the U.S. crypto market structure bill (CLARITY) would pass within April. If the bill passes, the virtual asset industry will gain regulatory clarity it has awaited for years. With regulatory uncertainty resolved, the inflow of institutional investors' funds is expected to accelerate further. Garlinghouse was confident that XRP's technological value is expanding its position within mainstream finance, even amid stagnant market conditions.
Ripple expanded its ecosystem by investing approximately $3 billion in corporate acquisitions throughout 2025. The first quarter of 2026 is expected to be the first quarter where these investments yield tangible returns. Ripple Prime, its prime brokerage division, is particularly making a significant contribution. Garlinghouse stated that all of Ripple's products are focused on increasing the utility of XRP and the XRP Ledger. Real demand is being generated as more banks use Ripple's software to settle funds in real-time.
Garlinghouse repeatedly emphasized XRP's mid-to-long-term growth potential, suggesting that it will be a key player in the next bull run. Institution-led capital deployment and large-scale ecosystem integration are crucial factors strengthening XRP's fundamentals. The current price correction phase is regarded as a preparatory stage for its full integration into mainstream finance. XRP is demonstrating the real value of virtual assets based on its unique efficiency in the global payment market. Investors are closely watching the results of upcoming regulations and large-scale capital inflows, anticipating market changes.
*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*
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