Ripple chief executive Brad Garlinghouse addressed speculation about the company’s strategic direction during the Swell 2026 conference in New York. He rejected reports that Ripple had shifted its focus away from XRP toward its RLUSD stablecoin.
Commitment to XRP
Garlinghouse told the audience, “We will never give up on XRP,” and noted that the token’s momentum remains strong. He described recent price activity as a continuation of a three‑month upward trend that began with a rally in late August, although the pace has moderated since late September.
Role of RLUSD
The CEO positioned RLUSD as a supporting element rather than a competitor, stating that the stablecoin contributes to XRP’s overall ecosystem and is “very complementary.” He added that Ripple would not pursue actions perceived as detrimental to the XRP community.
Company Performance
Ripple reported that it is on track to close 2026 with approximately $900 million in annualized product revenue, describing the year as its best to date. The RLUSD stablecoin has grown to a market capitalisation of about $2.6 billion, an increase of more than 88 % during the year, and reached a record high in January while Ripple engaged institutional partners.
Regulatory Milestones
Ripple also announced final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the Ripple National Trust Bank charter, a development that has prompted discussion about the beneficiaries of the company’s expansion.
Conference Highlights
Swell 2026 featured the XRPL Apex developer summit and included appearances by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ripple’s CTO Emeritus David Schwartz, who promoted XRP on social media during the event.
