Crypto markets 'will reach an all-time high' this year, says Ripple CEO

Group 1: Market Outlook - Cryptocurrency markets are expected to reach all-time highs this year, according to Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse [2][3] - Bitcoin achieved an all-time high of approximately $126,000 in October and was trading around $89,000 recently [2][3] Group 2: Regulatory Developments - The GENIUS Act, passed in June, has established regulatory frameworks for the cryptocurrency industry, including full reserve backing and monthly audits [5][7] - The SEC dropped a four-year lawsuit against Ripple, which had cost the company $150 million, allowing Ripple to emerge victorious on key legal issues [4] Group 3: Industry Sentiment - Garlinghouse expressed optimism about major financial institutions showing interest in cryptocurrencies, indicating a significant shift in the market [5] - XRP, Ripple's payment token, has become a prominent player in the recent crypto rally, trading at about $1.90 [5] Group 4: Future Projections - Analysts from Standard Chartered predict XRP could reach $8 by 2026 and $12.50 by 2028, although Garlinghouse refrained from commenting on these projections [6] - Garlinghouse anticipates that cryptocurrencies will experience substantial growth over the next decade, with significant use cases emerging [7][8]