Brad Garlinghouse has joined the growing discussion surrounding Michael Saylor, Strategy, and the company’s influence on the broader cryptocurrency market.
According to the Ripple CEO, Strategy’s approach to Bitcoin has placed too much emphasis on financial products rather than the asset’s core strengths and real world utility, creating additional pressure across the crypto market.
Speaking in a recent interview with CNBC, Garlinghouse stressed that the long term value of any digital asset comes from utility and practical use cases, not from speculative investment vehicles designed purely to accumulate holdings.
Concerns Over Strategy’s Market Impact
Garlinghouse said Strategy’s aggressive Bitcoin accumulation added momentum during the market’s rise, but is now amplifying downside pressure during the correction.
He specifically pointed to STRC, Strategy’s Stretch stock product, which raises capital by offering high yields and using the proceeds to purchase more Bitcoin.
Although Saylor has avoided labeling this approach as leverage, Garlinghouse argued that it effectively functions that way. In his view, the current market correction has exposed how such strategies can worsen losses when Bitcoin prices decline.
STRC is currently trading about 25% below its $100 par value, which Garlinghouse described as a troubling signal for both the product and the broader market.
He argued that companies should focus on creating sustainable long term value rather than relying heavily on financial engineering.
Garlinghouse emphasized that the lasting value of digital assets comes from solving meaningful problems at scale.
According to him, when an asset delivers real utility for customers, it naturally attracts liquidity, demand, and trust, all of which support stronger long term growth.
Despite his criticism of Strategy’s approach, Garlinghouse said he remains optimistic about Bitcoin’s future. He noted that with BTC down more than 50% from its October 2025 peak, current market conditions may present attractive opportunities for long term investors.
XRP’s Utility Remains Ripple’s Core Focus
Garlinghouse also spoke about XRP and its role within Ripple’s ecosystem.
While describing Bitcoin as digital gold, he noted that Bitcoin offers a more efficient way to transfer value compared with traditional assets like physical gold.
He then shifted focus to XRP, highlighting its primary use case in cross border payments and institutional settlement.
According to Garlinghouse, XRP’s value lies in the speed and efficiency of its blockchain infrastructure, particularly for financial institutions seeking faster payment solutions.
He added that Ripple has seen significant demand in this area, reporting roughly $16 trillion in payment volume processed during 2025 within its prime brokerage business, likely supported by recent acquisitions.
Garlinghouse said Ripple’s long term strategy has always centered on bringing traditional finance into modern blockchain infrastructure.
With its expanding capabilities and acquisitions, he believes Ripple is in a strong position to accelerate blockchain adoption across global financial markets.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic
