XRP Is Ripple’s ‘North Star’ Amid Ambitions to Build $1 Trillion Firm, Says CEO

In a defiant signal to the broader cryptocurrency market, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has reaffirmed that XRP remains the company’s absolute priority, its “North Star”, as the fintech giant sets its sights on a staggering $1 trillion valuation.

Speaking at a community event on Wednesday, Garlinghouse dispelled lingering fears that the company’s recent diversification into stablecoins and custody services would dilute the utility of its native token. Instead, he doubled down on the asset, positioning it as the linchpin of an increasingly aggressive institutional strategy.

The $1 Trillion Ambition

“I think we will see a trillion-dollar crypto company, and I don’t see why it can’t be Ripple,” Garlinghouse stated, outlining a roadmap that relies heavily on integrating XRP into the global financial plumbing.

This ambitious target comes on the heels of a massive expansion phase for Ripple. Throughout 2025, the company deployed approximately $4 billion in capital toward mergers and acquisitions, snapping up institutional players like Hidden Road (rebranded as Ripple Prime) and GTreasury. These moves were designed to fortify Ripple’s infrastructure, but critics had questioned if the pivot to broader fintech services would sideline XRP.

Garlinghouse’s latest comments serve as a direct rebuttal. “The XRP family has always been, and will continue to be, top of mind,” he assured stakeholders, confirming that the digital asset is the “heart” of their liquidity and cross-border payment solutions.

Market Watch: XRP Price and Key Levels

As of February 12, 2026, the market is reacting cautiously but optimistically to the CEO’s bullish outlook.

• Current Price: XRP price is trading at approximately $1.36, consolidating after a volatile start to the year.
• Key Resistance: Analysts are eyeing the $1.40 level as a critical “linchpin.” A sustained break above this price point could trigger a momentum run toward $1.50.
• Support: The asset has shown resilience, holding firm above major support zones despite broader market consolidation.

The token’s performance is also bolstered by the regulatory clarity achieved in late 2025. Following the conclusion of the grueling five-year legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—which ended with a settlement of $50 million, a fraction of the regulator’s original demand—XRP is now operating with a distinct legal advantage over many competitors.

The Dual-Asset Strategy: XRP and RLUSD

A key component of Ripple’s trillion-dollar roadmap is the synergy between XRP and its USD-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD.

Since its launch, RLUSD has rapidly gained traction, recently surpassing a $1.5 billion market cap. Far from competing with XRP, the stablecoin is being used to deepen liquidity on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Garlinghouse highlighted that the stablecoin serves as a stable entry point for institutions, while XRP remains the bridge asset for maximizing capital efficiency in cross-border settlements.

“XRP is the bridge, and RLUSD is the stable rail. They work in tandem, not in opposition,” noted a Ripple strategist. This dual-asset approach is already seeing adoption in the UAE, where partnerships with digital banks like Zand are utilizing both tokens to facilitate remittances.

Institutional DeFi and Future M&A

Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, Ripple is signaling a shift from pure acquisition to integration. While Garlinghouse hinted that the “buying spree” of 2025 might slow down in the first half of the year, he left the door open for further strategic deals in Q3 and Q4.

The immediate focus is on Institutional DeFi on the XRP Ledger. By bringing real-world assets (RWAs) and automated market making (AMM) to the ledger, Ripple aims to capture a slice of the multi-trillion-dollar traditional finance market.

Conclusion

For long-term holders, Garlinghouse’s “North Star” comment is more than just corporate speak; it is a strategic validation. With the legal headwinds of the SEC lawsuit finally in the rearview mirror and a war chest of $4 billion in recent acquisitions, Ripple is attempting to transition from a payment processor to a comprehensive financial infrastructure titan.

Whether it can reach the elusive $1 trillion mark remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ripple is not leaving XRP behind—it is betting the house on it.

Strategic Insight: Ripple’s focus on the $1.40 technical resistance level is critical. Traders should watch for volume spikes at this level, as it often precedes major institutional announcements.

Disclaimer: This post is a compilation of publicly available information. MEXC does not verify or guarantee the accuracy of third-party content. Readers should conduct their own research before making any investment or participation decisions.