XRP and RLUSD: Ripple's strategy for 2026 shows initial signs of success

Ripple’s ambitions for the year 2026 are already taking shape. The price of XRP demonstrated impressive momentum at the beginning of the year – an increase of over 20 percent to the $2.41 mark followed, before stabilizing around $2.08. Currently, XRP is trading at approximately $2.07 with a daily gain of nearly 1.12 percent. At the same time, the market capitalization of Ripple’s own stablecoin RLUSD reached the threshold of about $1.3 billion.

Strategic Acquisitions as a Foundation

Behind this market dynamic is a well-thought-out corporate strategy. The acquisitions of Ripple Prime and GTreasury during 2025 demonstrate this convincingly – with valuations of $1.25 billion and $1 billion respectively, Ripple has targeted investments in its future. These acquisitions aim to accelerate the modernization of cross-border payment flows, while XRP remains a central element of this vision.

Garlinghouse’s Long-Term Focus

CEO Brad Garlinghouse sent a clear signal at the beginning of 2026: the company is focusing on sustainable value creation rather than short-term market volatility. In a New Year’s statement, Garlinghouse compared Ripple’s resilience to the legendary career of NFL star Tom Brady – an analogy that highlights both endurance and continuous performance, much like Brady’s impressive record reflecting decades of strategic success. Garlinghouse characterized 2025 as a decisive year for strategic expansion and regulatory breakthroughs.

Regulatory Progress Opens New Horizons

A key factor is the newly acquired EMI license in the United Kingdom. This regulatory approval positions Ripple for accelerated growth and paves the way for expanded operations in the European market. Garlinghouse emphasizes the importance of real use cases for XRP and RLUSD – not mere speculation, but actual utility scenarios in cross-border finance are at the core.

The combination of strategic acquisitions, regulatory successes, and stable market performance indicates that Ripple is pursuing its long-term vision with determination.