Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said Bitcoin could reach $180,000 by the end of 2026. He made the forecast during a panel with Solana Foundation President Lily Liu and Binance CEO Richard Teng at Binance Blockchain Week.
Garlinghouse said broader adoption, long-term investment strategies, and continued demand for Bitcoin as an asset are key factors in his estimate.
Liu said a price above $100,000 is reasonable within the same period if current participation continues. He noted that Bitcoin markets are now reacting faster to new investment flows than in previous years.
Teng did not give a price estimate. He said he is focusing on business expansion and regulatory progress rather than short-term market reactions. According to Teng, the entry of more regulated institutions into the sector has changed the way Bitcoin responds to changes in global financial policy.
Bitcoin was trading around $93,000 at the time of the event, after posting an all-time high above $126,000 two months ago.
The panel members listed developments that could affect the price of Bitcoin through 2026:
- Growth in trading volumes through exchange-traded products
- Greater participation of large asset managers
- Changes in mining after the most recent halving
- Reduce borrowing costs if central banks continue to lower rates
Garlinghouse said digital assets with clear legal recognition will attract more investment from traditional companies. Liu added that improvements in network performance and new applications on major blockchains will continue to influence investors’ decisions.
All three speakers agreed that Bitcoin’s established infrastructure and liquidity keep it in a leading role in the digital asset market.
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