Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has set off a fresh wave of speculation across the crypto market after a recent, widely shared update that many observers are calling a major development for XRP and its ecosystem. What was said Garlinghouse told audiences that Ripple is focused on driving XRP and its broader ecosystem forward — and expressed confidence that a crypto company could become a trillion-dollar firm, a milestone he suggested Ripple is positioned to pursue. His remarks, which quickly circulated across social media and trading desks, referenced forthcoming ecosystem initiatives but did not provide specific details. Market reaction The comment drew swift reaction from market participants. Investor and analyst Stern Drew described the CEO’s remarks as “a massive bombshell for XRP holders,” noting that whether the catalyst is institutional adoption, regulatory progress, or strategic product growth, the announcement has reignited debate over XRP’s medium- to long-term prospects. Technology spotlight: zk-privacy and DNA Protocol On the technical front, proponents note that the XRP Ledger (XRPL) is among the chains pushing toward privacy-enhancing upgrades. As of 2026, XRPL is reportedly one of the closest projects to launching zk-privacy capabilities via the DNA Protocol — a platform promoting blockchain bio-identity — putting Ripple in a visible position on the privacy and identity frontier. Technicals and price outlook Technically, XRP’s price action has been consolidative for an extended stretch, but a number of indicators point to building momentum. Analysts point to relative strength metrics and shifting capital flows as signs that XRP may be preparing for a breakout. Crypto analyst Bird shared a chart showing a long descending trend line in place since early 2025 and suggested that, if a decisive move begins, XRP could ultimately target as high as $27. Bird’s analysis — including a comparison against Ethereum — frames the potential breakout as the culmination of a protracted cycle, one he characterizes as the final “fifth wave.” A note on predictions: these targets are speculative and reflect individual analyst viewpoints rather than consensus forecasts. Current market snapshot At the time of writing, XRP traded around $1.35, slipping roughly 2% in the past 24 hours. Trading volume has declined sharply, down more than 19% over the same period, and sentiment remains cautious among investors. Bottom line Garlinghouse’s remarks have rekindled headlines and debate around XRP’s roadmap and ambitions. With privacy upgrades like DNA Protocol on the horizon and technical indicators signaling potential momentum, the coming months could be pivotal — but much depends on concrete product rollouts, regulatory developments, and whether market momentum follows the narrative. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

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