'XRP Is The North Star,' Says Ripple CEO After $4B In Acquisitions In 2025

Core Insights - Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse indicated that the company may consider acquisitions in the second half of 2026 after a significant $4 billion investment in mergers and acquisitions last year, despite XRP being 60% below its peak [1][2]. M&A Strategy - Garlinghouse stated that the focus for 2026 will be on integration rather than new acquisitions, although there may be a shift towards being more acquisitive in the latter half of the year [2]. - Last year, Ripple's investments in the crypto ecosystem included major deals such as Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and GTreasury for $1 billion [3]. Product Focus - XRP is described as the central element for Ripple, with all products including Ripple Payments, Ripple Prime, Ripple Treasury, custody, and RLUSD stablecoin aimed at enhancing utility, trust, velocity, and liquidity around XRP and the XRP Ledger [4]. Market Performance - XRP experienced a bounce after dropping to the $1.15-$1.20 range, with critical support holding at this level. However, significant resistance remains above, particularly around $1.45-$1.50 and $1.70-$1.80 [7][8][9]. - For a meaningful recovery, XRP needs to maintain levels above $1.30 and continue to create higher lows [9]. Investment Positioning - The $4 billion expenditure last year positions Ripple as one of the most active acquirers in the crypto space, second only to Tether [10].