Ripple CEO Sees Bitcoin Reaching $200,000 Amid US Regulatory Shifts

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has expressed optimism about Bitcoin's potential to reach $200,000, stating that such a price level is not unreasonable. During an interview on April 11, Garlinghouse shared his views on the future of Bitcoin, emphasizing that he focuses more on long-term macro trends rather than short-term price predictions. He believes that the changing regulatory landscape in the United States, particularly the shift from hostility to a more favorable stance, will continue to drive the crypto market higher.

Garlinghouse highlighted that the U.S. economy has a significant impact on the crypto market, and the recent regulatory changes under the Trump administration have created a more crypto-friendly environment. He credited key figures such as David Sacks, Scott Bessent, and the newly confirmed SEC chairman, Paul Atkins, for fostering this more supportive regulatory scene. The CEO noted that the market has not yet fully priced in the bullish impact of these regulatory changes, which could lead to further growth in the crypto industry.

The Ripple boss also commented on the recent $1.25 billion acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road, stating that such a deal would not have been possible a year ago due to the hostile regulatory environment under the Biden-Harris administration. He suggested that this acquisition could facilitate the entry of larger institutions, such as BlackRock and other major Wall Street financial institutions, into the crypto market by providing a safer prime broker to clear transactions and a bigger balance sheet to support these activities. This move is seen as beneficial for the entire industry, as it could lead to increased adoption and integration of crypto assets into traditional financial systems.

Garlinghouse's optimism about Bitcoin's potential to reach $200,000 is based on his belief in the long-term macro trends and the positive regulatory changes in the United States. He avoids making short-term price predictions for Bitcoin, focusing instead on the broader trends that could drive the crypto market higher. The changing regulatory landscape, coupled with the potential for increased institutional adoption, could create a favorable environment for Bitcoin and other crypto assets to achieve significant price appreciation in the coming years.