• Ripple raised $500M, hitting a $40B valuation with major new partnerships.
• Brad Garlinghouse forecasts XRP’s next rally toward the $5.76–$9.73 range.
• Institutional demand grows as regulatory clarity and ETF expectations boost XRP’s outlook.

Ripple’s Swell 2025 event wrapped up with excitement and optimism. XRP stole the spotlight after jumping more than 7% in just one day. The surge followed major announcements from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who described the moment as “finishing strong.” With a $500 million raise at a $40 billion valuation and new partnerships with Mastercard and Gemini, Ripple’s momentum looks unstoppable. Many analysts now see the $5.76–$9.73 range as XRP’s next big target.

Ripple Strengthens Position in the Crypto Industry

During the final keynote, Brad Garlinghouse shared Ripple’s vision for 2026. He outlined plans to push deeper into crypto infrastructure and financial utility. The company aims to boost institutional adoption while supporting key legislation like the Crypto Market Structure Bill and the Clarity Act. These changes could redefine digital asset regulation and drive more confidence across global markets.

Ripple has been aggressive in expansion this year with four acquisitions, including Palisade, a leading wallet and custody firm. Garlinghouse confirmed the company would slow acquisitions in 2026 to consolidate growth. However, he ruled out entering the crypto exchange market, focusing instead on strengthening blockchain infrastructure.

The CEO also addressed growing speculation around a potential IPO. He said Ripple’s balance sheet remains “really healthy,” but an IPO is not on the immediate roadmap. While many crypto companies seek public listings under the pro-crypto Trump administration, Ripple prefers to expand through strategic business lines. These include crypto custody, prime brokerage, and corporate treasury management.

XRP’s Growing Strength and the Road Ahead

Garlinghouse emphasized that XRP remains central to Ripple’s ecosystem. He highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance trust, liquidity, and utility. With regulatory clarity achieved after years of legal uncertainty, institutional investors are taking renewed interest in XRP. He expects more capital to flow in once the Crypto Market Structure Bill passes and the first spot XRP ETF launches.

Drawing parallels to Ethereum’s rise after ETF approval, Garlinghouse predicted a strong rally for XRP. He believes institutional demand could push prices toward $5.76 and even $9.73 if bullish momentum continues. Ripple’s application for a national bank charter and a Federal Reserve Master Account through Standard Custody further strengthens its credibility. XRP has already shown resilience, climbing 7% in the last 24 hours to $2.35. CoinGlass data reveals rising futures interest, with open interest hitting $3.51 billion.

CME and Binance both saw increases, signaling a wave of optimism among traders. As Ripple’s influence grows and regulations evolve, XRP’s breakout potential becomes harder to ignore. The groundwork laid during the Swell event may set the stage for a powerful rally—one that could redefine how investors view this digital asset.