Crypto Bleeds, Ripple Doubles Down: President Says 2026 Will Be the Real Adoption Explosion
Ripple Signals Crypto’s ‘Production Era’ as Brad Garlinghouse Takes the Stage at Davos 2026
The cryptocurrency market is entering 2026 under heavy pressure. In the past 24 hours alone, total market capitalization has dropped by more than 3.4%, effectively erasing all gains recorded since the beginning of the year. Escalating geopolitical tensions, renewed concerns around global trade disputes, and a sharp rise in forced liquidations have triggered widespread risk-off behavior among investors.
Data from market trackers show that more than $1 billion worth of leveraged crypto positions were liquidated in a single day. Bitcoin long positions accounted for over $190 million of those losses, reinforcing the sense of unease across digital asset markets.
Yet amid the turbulence, one major crypto firm is striking a notably different tone. Ripple Labs is projecting confidence, arguing that the current volatility masks a deeper and more important shift underway in the industry.
Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Ripple executives said 2026 will mark a decisive turning point for crypto, one where the technology moves beyond experimentation and into what they describe as its “production era.”
Crypto Moves Beyond the Pilot Phase
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| Source: Xpost |
According to Ripple President Monica Long, the crypto industry is transitioning from proof-of-concept trials to full-scale deployment across global financial systems.
“For years, crypto has been tested in controlled environments,” Long said during discussions at Davos. “Now we’re seeing real adoption, real transaction volume, and real use cases that matter to banks, corporations, and governments.”
Long emphasized that digital assets are no longer defined primarily by speculative trading. Instead, they are increasingly functioning as core infrastructure for modern finance, supporting payments, treasury operations, and tokenized assets.
This shift, she said, explains why Ripple continues to invest heavily in regulated infrastructure even as market prices fluctuate.
“When Ripple talks about crypto growth, it’s not about hype cycles,” Long said. “It’s about building systems that can operate at scale, under regulation, and in partnership with existing financial institutions.”
Stablecoins Take Center Stage
At the heart of Ripple’s long-term strategy is the rise of stablecoins as foundational payment instruments. Long argued that stablecoins have quietly become one of the most successful applications of blockchain technology.
Global stablecoin market capitalization now exceeds $300 billion, with daily transaction volumes rivaling those of traditional payment networks. Ripple believes this trend will accelerate in 2026 as more enterprises integrate blockchain-based settlement tools.
Ripple’s own regulated stablecoin initiative, RLUSD, is designed to support enterprise-grade payments, cross-border settlement, and onchain liquidity management. While details remain limited, company executives have positioned stablecoins as the “bridge” between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure.
Major financial firms are moving in the same direction. Companies such as Visa and Stripe have expanded their stablecoin capabilities, allowing businesses to settle transactions faster and at lower cost.
“Stablecoins are solving real problems,” Long said. “They reduce friction, improve liquidity, and enable near-instant settlement across borders.”
Corporate Adoption Accelerates
Another pillar of Ripple’s optimism lies in corporate adoption. According to industry surveys cited at Davos, nearly half of Fortune 500 companies are expected to have formal digital asset strategies in place by the end of 2026.
These strategies increasingly extend beyond crypto trading desks and into operational finance. Corporations are exploring stablecoin-based treasury management, tokenized financial instruments, and blockchain-based settlement networks.
Ripple executives argue that this shift reflects growing comfort with digital assets as tools rather than speculative bets.
“Crypto is becoming infrastructure,” Long said. “It’s no longer a side experiment. It’s being integrated into core business operations.”
Brad Garlinghouse Brings Ripple to Davos
Ripple’s presence at Davos itself underscored that message. CEO Brad Garlinghouse participated in high-profile panels alongside central bankers, asset managers, and policymakers, a level of visibility few blockchain firms have achieved.
Garlinghouse appeared at events attended by executives from firms such as BlackRock, signaling that Ripple is increasingly viewed as part of the institutional conversation around digital finance.
Ripple also co-sponsored the U.S. House pavilion at Davos alongside Microsoft, reinforcing its alignment with established technology and financial institutions.
“Being present at Davos is not about marketing,” Garlinghouse said in a separate interview. “It’s about contributing to real policy and infrastructure discussions.”
Market Pressure Continues for XRP
Despite Ripple’s confidence, its native token remains under pressure. According to data from CoinMarketCap, XRP was trading near $1.90 at the time of writing, down nearly 3% over 24 hours and more than 12% on the week.
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| Source: CoinMarketCap |
Market analysts attribute the decline to a combination of factors. XRP recently lost key technical support near $1.95, while approximately $55 million in outflows were recorded from the Grayscale XRP ETF. Broader market weakness, including a 4% drop in Bitcoin, has also weighed on sentiment.
Technical analysts say XRP is now testing support around $1.88. A sustained break below that level could open the door to further downside near $1.81. Conversely, a recovery above $1.95 would signal renewed strength.
Ripple executives have largely dismissed short-term price movements, reiterating that infrastructure adoption tends to precede market revaluation.
A Production Era Takes Shape
Industry observers say Ripple’s messaging aligns with a broader trend unfolding across the crypto sector. After years dominated by speculative cycles, regulators and institutions are increasingly shaping the pace and direction of adoption.
Tokenization of real-world assets, regulated custody solutions, and blockchain-based payment rails are emerging as the dominant narratives of 2026.
Ripple’s long-standing focus on compliance and enterprise partnerships positions it well for this transition, analysts say, particularly as governments and financial institutions seek clarity rather than disruption.
Conclusion
The contrast between market sentiment and Ripple’s outlook could not be sharper. While prices reflect fear, Ripple’s leadership is signaling conviction.
From stablecoin payments and institutional custody to tokenization and corporate adoption, Ripple believes the foundations for mainstream crypto usage are already in place. The volatility of early 2026, executives argue, is less a sign of failure than a symptom of transition.
As Garlinghouse told audiences at Davos, “This isn’t the end of crypto’s story. It’s the moment when it finally starts doing what it was built to do.”
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