Brad Garlinghouse: Ripple bets on long-term financial stability, not speculation

Ripple’s vision under the leadership of Brad Garlinghouse marks a decisive strategic shift toward building durable crypto infrastructure. Instead of pursuing short-term speculative cycles, the company has clearly stated that its goal is to modernize global payment systems through blockchain technology.

Regulatory progress as a strategic catalyst

A significant milestone was achieved when Ripple’s legal team, led by Stuart Alderoty, secured approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority for an EMI (Electronic Money Institution) license and crypto-asset registration. This accomplishment represents a regulatory validation that strengthens the company’s position in institutional markets and opens pathways to expand operations with British financial institutions.

A wave of acquisitions redefining capabilities

Over the past year, Ripple executed an ambitious inorganic growth strategy. The purchase of Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, the acquisition of GTreasury for $1 billion, and the agreement of $200 millions for the Rail platform demonstrate a decisive investment in payment infrastructure. Additionally, the company added Palisade to its portfolio. Although the attempt to acquire Circle did not succeed, these operations position Ripple to serve institutional clients more effectively.

The central role of XRP and RLUSD

Brad Garlinghouse has reiterated that XRP remains fundamental in the vision of building an “Internet of Value,” an ecosystem where money transfer is as seamless as data transfer. Alongside this proposal, RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, plays a strategic role in the company’s decentralized payment architecture.

Transformation outlook for 2026

Reece Merrick, a Ripple executive, described the current moment as a tipping point: “2025 was crucial in laying the groundwork, but with acquisitions completed and the UK’s EMI license now in place, 2026 represents a true paradigm shift.” This sentiment reflects that the company has moved from a consolidation phase to an aggressive expansion phase.

Sustained building under legal pressure

Pro-XRP attorney John Deaton highlighted that Ripple’s progress is remarkable considering the years of legal challenges faced. Despite this pressure, the company continued developing its infrastructure, securing global licenses, and reaching an estimated valuation of $40 billion. This trajectory underscores that focusing on real utility, not market speculation, has yielded tangible results.

Garlinghouse’s position is clear: modernizing global financial systems takes time, but progress is inevitable.