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Ripple is accelerating its push to become a major player in global financial infrastructure, with CEO Brad Garlinghouse revealing that the company is targeting a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate by the end of 2026, excluding any gains from XRP holdings.
Speaking at a recent Fox Business interview, Garlinghouse outlined Ripple’s growth strategy, which focuses on enterprise payments, stablecoins, treasury solutions, and financial infrastructure rather than relying on cryptocurrency price appreciation.
Notably, Ripple has increasingly positioned itself as a technology provider for banks, payment firms, brokers, and corporations. Garlinghouse emphasized that the company’s primary market is institutional clients rather than retail users.
“Ripple is focused on enterprise. We serve banks, payment providers, serve prime brokers’ customers, corporates not focused on consumers,” Garlinghouse said.
The company believes demand for blockchain-powered settlement systems, treasury management tools, and cross-border payment solutions will continue to drive growth. Garlinghouse also argued that greater regulatory clarity in the United States could encourage more financial institutions to adopt blockchain technology.
 
A key part of Ripple’s expansion strategy is its recent $1.25 billion acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road. The deal gives Ripple access to a business that clears trillions of dollars in annual volume and broadens its presence in institutional finance.
Garlinghouse said the acquisition strengthens Ripple’s ecosystem and supports its long-term growth plans.
“I am super excited about acquisitions we made last year, how these different pieces fit together,” he said.
For now, Ripple is focused on integrating its recent acquisitions rather than pursuing additional major deals.
Stablecoins are another major growth area for the company. The crypto mogul noted increasing interest from corporate finance teams exploring how stablecoins can improve liquidity management and payment efficiency.
“Those CFOs more than before ask how could stablecoins fit into that mix,” he said.
Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin plays a central role in that strategy, helping enterprises move value more efficiently while supporting payment and treasury operations.
Moreover, the company is also preparing for the rise of AI-powered commerce. Ripple recently introduced tools designed to support AI agents making payments through blockchain infrastructure. While optimistic about the technology’s potential, Garlinghouse cautioned that safeguards will be needed before AI systems gain direct access to financial accounts.
“We want to make sure that we are future ready, future proof how we think about XRP Ledger,” he said, adding, “I think this is going to have to be a lot of protections structuring around that before people connect bank accounts to AI agents.”
Garlinghouse also reiterated his support for clearer cryptocurrency regulations, arguing that uncertainty has slowed innovation and pushed activity overseas.
“The industry wants clarity and wants regulation,” he stated.
That said, with expanding enterprise services, a growing stablecoin business, strategic acquisitions, and investments in emerging technologies like AI payments, Ripple is positioning itself as a broader fintech infrastructure company as it works toward its $1 billion revenue goal.