The cryptocurrency world rarely sees a moment where caution yields to conviction so sharply. Yet in a recent statement, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse laid out a vision so bullish that a well-known X user, JackTheRippler, declared it could make XRP “melt faces.”
That bold prophecy demands attention — not because it’s hype, but because Ripple CEO backed it with concrete signals from markets, regulation, and institution-level flows.
Macro Tailwinds and a Changing Institutional Mood
Ripple CEO Garlinghouse began by contextualizing crypto’s current pullback as part of its natural cycles. He noted that macro factors now favor a long-term upswing.
He emphasized that the U.S. — accounting for about 22% of global GDP — is undergoing a dramatic shift in regulatory stance. For years, many U.S. institutions shunned crypto. Now, names like Vanguard, Franklin Templeton, and BlackRock are re-evaluating that stance.
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He described what’s happening as more than a moment of sentiment, but a structural shift. Institutions that avoided crypto are now re-entering the space. That gradual, disciplined return — “walk, crawl, then run,” in his words — stands to unlock serious capital inflows.
Real-World Use Cases Beyond Speculation
One of Ripple CEO’s central arguments: crypto no longer needs to rely only on speculation. It’s beginning to solve real problems. As protocols mature and user interfaces improve, crypto becomes useful for payments, settlement, and stable-value transfer.
A key development supporting this argument is the recent launch of a regulated exchange-traded fund (ETF) tied to XRP. On November 24, 2025, Franklin Templeton listed the Franklin XRP ETF (XRPZ) on NYSE Arca — enabling investors to gain exposure to XRP through a familiar, regulated vehicle rather than holding tokens directly.
This ETF leans on the robust architecture of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), celebrated for its ability to process thousands of transactions per second at low cost and energy consumption.
Early Signals: Inflows and Market Reaction
The launch of XRPZ came with tangible results. Reports indicate that on its first trading day, XRPZ registered notable inflows — a sign of real demand from investors seeking regulated crypto exposure.
For proponents like JackTheRippler, this is not trivial. It marks a shift from latent institutional interest to active participation. In his view, such structural momentum could blaze a path for XRP toward major upside.
Why “Melt Faces” Might Not Be Just Hype
When JackTheRippler says XRP will “melt faces,” he’s drawing a line not from current price action but from foundations being laid now. The combination of regulatory clarity, traditional finance embracing crypto, real-world utility, and institutional infrastructure — like ETFs — creates conditions ripe for a strong rally.
Garlinghouse’s message underscores this cautiously optimistic thesis. As he put it: “Crypto isn’t just about speculation. It is about solving real-world problems.” If more institutions adopt that mindset, and capital flows follow, the coming months could mark a turning point.
Of course, much depends on execution — by Ripple, by the broader crypto industry, and by institutional actors. Yet the groundwork now built offers a plausible path for XRP not just to rebound, but to re-emerge as a cornerstone in global digital finance.