Ripple Boss Has High Expectations for Bitcoin #
Bitcoin is once again in the spotlight. During a major event, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made a notable prediction. He expects Bitcoin to climb to $180,000 next year. That forecast has generated significant buzz, especially as the market is currently experiencing strong movements alongside clear warning signs.
Photo: Village Global, Brad Garlinghouse, The Grove 2022 (Village Global, uploader), CC BY 2.0
Garlinghouse made his prediction during a panel discussion with Lily Liu of the Solana Foundation and Binance executive Richard Teng.
According to him, Bitcoin is far from done rising and could reach around $180,000 by the end of 2026. He is looking mainly at the long term, in which he believes Bitcoin will only become stronger.
Liu was less specific but still positive. She thinks Bitcoin can easily break above the $100,000 mark again.
Teng declined to name a specific figure. He said he is focused on the growth of the coming years, not on daily price fluctuations. This makes his message calmer, but less concrete.
Currently, the price is hovering around $93,000. That’s significantly lower than the all-time high of $126,000 two months ago, but still a strong position. The market remains full of action, largely because many traders are buying and selling quickly.
Crypto Market Feels Hot, But the Foundation Remains Uncertain #
Beyond Garlinghouse’s statements, another important factor is at play. A recent market report explained that while Bitcoin may look strong, some signals are actually warning of a hot and vulnerable market.
One key signal is the buy/sell ratio of approximately 1.17. This means buyers are very active and willing to pay more to acquire Bitcoin quickly.
This seems positive, but analysts warn that such figures often occur at the end of a rally. It shows there is a lot of haste, not necessarily a lot of new money flowing in.
Furthermore, the M2 velocity—the speed at which money circulates in the economy—is not rising further. In a strong economy, money moves faster. Right now, that pace is stagnating.
This combination of strong buying pressure and a flattening economy creates a tense picture. The Bitcoin price could still shoot up sharply, but the foundation remains fragile.
The coming period will reveal whether Garlinghouse’s optimistic predictions become reality or if the market needs to cool down first.