Updated: February 12, 2026 | Tapbit Ripple & XRPL Ecosystem Desk – Tokyo
In a wide-ranging interview at the XRPL Apex event in Singapore (February 2026), Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse explicitly named XRP the company’s “North Star” — the central guiding asset across every major product pillar: cross-border payments, custody & tokenized assets, stablecoins (RLUSD), and emerging institutional DeFi use-cases on the XRP Ledger.
The declaration comes after Ripple deployed more than $4 billion in strategic acquisitions and investments during 2025 (Hidden Road $1.25B, GTreasury ~$1B, plus Metaco custody and other bolt-ons), while RLUSD — Ripple’s USD-denominated stablecoin — surpassed $1.5 billion in circulating supply and daily settlement volume in early February 2026. Garlinghouse framed the multi-year goal clearly: position Ripple as a $1 trillion valuation company by becoming the backbone infrastructure for tokenized real-world assets and global value transfer.
This guide examines the “North Star” strategy in detail: what XRP actually does inside Ripple’s ecosystem, how RLUSD and acquisitions create synergy, current price action around the $1.36–$1.40 resistance zone, institutional adoption signals, regulatory tailwinds post-SEC settlement, and realistic scenarios for XRP price and Ripple valuation through the end of 2026.
Ripple’s North Star Strategy – XRP at the Center of Every Pillar
Garlinghouse’s “North Star” framing is not marketing rhetoric; it reflects how Ripple has restructured its product roadmap since the partial SEC victory in 2023:
- Payments (ODL / Ripple Payments) — XRP remains the bridge asset for on-demand liquidity (ODL), now processing billions in annualized volume with 70+ corridors live
- Stablecoins (RLUSD) — XRP functions as the primary liquidity pair and settlement rail for RLUSD → higher XRP usage directly increases RLUSD velocity and adoption
- Custody & Tokenization (Metaco + Ripple Custody) — XRP Ledger used for institutional RWA issuance and settlement; Ripple Prime (post-Hidden Road) offers XRP-based margin & financing
- Institutional DeFi (XRPL AMM & EVM sidechain) — XRP as base pair in XRPL’s native AMM; upcoming EVM sidechain enables Ethereum-compatible DeFi with XRP as gas & collateral
Every new product or acquisition is explicitly designed to increase XRP utility, velocity and demand — creating a self-reinforcing flywheel toward the $1 trillion valuation target.
2025 Acquisitions – Building the $1T Infrastructure Stack
Ripple’s $4B+ spending spree in 2025 laid the foundation for the North Star vision:
| Acquisition / Investment | Approx. Value | Strategic Role | XRP Synergy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hidden Road (prime brokerage) | $1.25B | Ripple Prime launch → institutional margin & clearing | XRP as margin collateral & settlement asset |
| GTreasury (treasury management) | ~$1B | Corporate treasury integration for stablecoin & crypto | RLUSD + XRP for corporate cash management |
| Metaco (custody tech) | $250M (2023) + expansion | Ripple Custody for banks & asset managers | XRPL settlement for tokenized securities |
| Other (Standard Custody, etc.) | $1.5B+ | Fill ecosystem gaps (compliance, banking rails) | Increased XRP transaction volume |
Collectively, these moves transform Ripple from a cross-border payments company into a full-stack provider of institutional crypto infrastructure — with XRP at the liquidity and settlement core.
Current XRP Price Action & Technical Outlook (Feb 12, 2026)
Current XRP Price: ~$1.36–$1.38
- Key resistance: $1.40–$1.42 (multi-year shelf + psychological level)
- Next support: $1.30 (50-day EMA), $1.22–$1.25 (prior range low)
- Longer-term support: $1.05–$1.10 (200-day EMA)
- RSI (daily): ~54 → neutral, room to run without overbought
- Volume profile: Heavy volume node at $1.35–$1.40 → breakout above would target $1.60–$1.75
A decisive close above $1.42 on elevated volume would confirm the breakout and likely trigger a measured move toward $1.60–$1.75 (next major supply shelf). Failure to break $1.40 risks a retest of $1.30 support.
RLUSD Synergy – How Stablecoin Growth Lifts XRP
Ripple’s USD stablecoin RLUSD crossed $1.5 billion in circulating supply in early February 2026 and is now among the top 5 non-USDT/USDC stablecoins by volume on XRPL and Ethereum. Key flywheel effects:
- RLUSD pairs (XRP/RLUSD) dominate XRPL DEX liquidity → higher XRP trading volume
- Institutional treasuries using RLUSD for payments → XRP used as bridge asset → increased burn rate
- RWA issuance on XRPL (tokenized Treasuries, bonds) settled in RLUSD → XRP as gas & collateral
Analysts estimate that every $1B in sustained RLUSD volume adds ~$200–400M in annualized XRP demand via fees, bridging and liquidity provision — a powerful structural tailwind.
Tapbit Trading Strategies – February 2026
- Sign Up on Tapbit (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT or JPY via P2P / bank transfer
- Breakout play: Long XRP/USDT spot or perpetuals on confirmed close above $1.42 (20–50x leverage, isolated margin)
- Dip accumulation: DCA XRP/USDT on pullbacks to $1.30–$1.32 zone
- Stable hedge: Park in USDT Earn yields during consolidation or macro fear
- Risk control: Max 1–2% account risk per trade; trailing stops below recent swing lows
FAQs – Ripple XRP North Star Strategy & $1T Goal (2026)
What does Brad Garlinghouse mean by XRP as Ripple’s “North Star”?
XRP is the central guiding asset across all product pillars: payments (ODL), stablecoins (RLUSD), custody & tokenization, and institutional DeFi on XRPL. Every acquisition and product is designed to increase XRP utility and demand.
Can Ripple realistically reach a $1 trillion valuation?
At ~$40B market cap today, it would require ~25× growth. Achievable if Ripple captures significant share of cross-border payments ($150T+ annual volume), tokenized RWAs ($10–20T projected by 2030), and stablecoin settlement. Still a very long-term ambition (2030+ horizon).
How does RLUSD growth benefit XRP holders?
RLUSD pairs drive XRP trading volume on XRPL DEX, increase XRP burn rate via fees, and position XRP as the bridge asset for institutional stablecoin flows. Every $1B in RLUSD velocity adds meaningful structural demand for XRP.
Is $1.40 the key breakout level for XRP?
Yes — $1.40–$1.42 is a multi-year shelf and psychological resistance. A decisive close above on elevated volume would target $1.60–$1.75 next. Failure to break risks retest of $1.30 support.
Conclusion & Realistic 2026 Outlook
Brad Garlinghouse’s “North Star” declaration is more than rhetoric — it reflects Ripple’s deliberate restructuring around XRP as the liquidity, settlement and bridge asset across payments, stablecoins, custody, tokenization and institutional DeFi. The $4B+ acquisition spree in 2025 (Hidden Road, GTreasury, etc.) and RLUSD’s rapid $1.5B+ traction are concrete steps toward the long-term $1 trillion valuation ambition.
While the goal remains multi-year (likely 2030+), the structural tailwinds are already visible: rising XRP utility from RLUSD, institutional adoption via Ripple Prime & Custody, and XRPL’s growing role in RWA issuance. For traders on Tapbit, the setup offers clear edges: zero maker/taker fees on XRP/USDT spot & perpetuals, deep liquidity, up to 125x leverage (use conservatively), flexible Earn yields, P2P fiat ramps, and real-time XRPL ecosystem charts. Key levels to watch: $1.40–$1.42 breakout confirmation, RLUSD market cap & settlement volume growth, Ripple Prime institutional onboarding announcements, and any new M&A or regulatory clarity signals — 2026 could mark the year XRP transitions from speculative asset to core infrastructure layer for global value transfer.
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Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk of loss. Prices are highly volatile and can change rapidly. Company ambitions, acquisition synergies and regulatory developments are forward-looking statements and not guarantees. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose completely.
