Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently revealed that the company's proposed settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ($XRP ) may involve payment in $XRP , signaling a notable shift in regulatory attitudes toward digital assets. In an interview with Fox Business on April 11, Garlinghouse also shared an optimistic forecast for Bitcoin, projecting the cryptocurrency could reach $200,000 in the near future.
Garlinghouse characterized the pending settlement as a "major step forward" for Ripple and the broader crypto industry. Under the terms of the agreement, the SEC would receive $50 million, with the U.S. government receiving an equivalent amount. Notably, #Ripple suggested that the payment could be made in XRP, marking a departure from earlier regulatory stances that challenged the token’s classification as a security.
Initially, Ripple had set aside $125 million in escrow to cover potential penalties. However, the company will retain a significant portion of those funds under the proposed resolution, which is still subject to final approval from SEC commissioners.
Garlinghouse emphasized that the settlement reflects a broader shift in the regulatory environment, crediting changes in leadership at both the SEC and the White House for creating a more constructive atmosphere for blockchain innovation. He suggested that under the current administration, regulatory "tailwinds" are replacing the hostility seen in previous years.
“This is a breakthrough moment,” Garlinghouse noted. “Such progress wouldn’t have been possible under the former administration. Ripple is now positioned to thrive in a more stable and innovation-focused U.S. market.”
While Garlinghouse refrained from offering a price prediction for XRP, citing a conflict of interest, he shared a bullish outlook on Bitcoin. Referencing a recent forecast by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, who suggested Bitcoin could reach $250,000 within the next year, Garlinghouse offered a more conservative, yet still optimistic, estimate.
“I will predict Bitcoin… I think $200,000 is not unreasonable,” he said. “People underestimate the impact of the U.S.—the world’s largest economy—shifting from a stance of regulatory resistance to one of support. The market hasn’t fully priced in how transformative that is.”
Garlinghouse’s remarks underscore growing optimism in the crypto sector amid evolving regulatory dynamics and increased institutional interest.
