🏛️ REGULATORY MILESTONE: RIPPLE CEO JOINS CFTC PANEL AS XRP EYES A POTENTIAL REVERSAL FROM $1.35 SUPPORT

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has been appointed to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Innovation Advisory Committee, a significant regulatory development that is fueling hopes for an XRP price recovery as of February 13, 2026. This appointment signals a major shift toward regulatory normalization for Ripple, moving from years of legal battles to active industry input at the federal level. While XRP has struggled to hold its footing, currently trading near $1.35, on-chain data suggests a controlled distribution phase rather than widespread panic, with just 100 million XRP moving to exchanges over the last 10 days. If the asset can decisively reclaim the $1.51 level, a recovery rally toward the $1.76 supply zone may be on the horizon.

From Litigation to Legislation: The CFTC Appointment

Brad Garlinghouse joining the CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee is being hailed as a pivotal moment for XRP’s legal and regulatory standing in the United States.

• Regulatory Normalization: This move marks a transition for Ripple from a defensive legal posture to a proactive role in shaping US digital asset policy. For XRP investors, it reduces the “legal overhang” that has historically suppressed price action.
• Industry Credibility: Garlinghouse himself described the committee roster as the “Olympics crypto roster,” suggesting that Ripple’s engagement with the CFTC will provide a more constructive framework for institutional adoption of XRP.

Controlled Distribution: Why This Isn’t 2022

While some analysts have compared the current price action to the start of the 2022 bear market, on-chain data shows a much more resilient market structure.

• Measured Exchange Inflows: Over the past 10 days, roughly 100 million XRP ($130 million) moved to exchanges. While significant, this is a fraction of the selling urgency seen in November 2025, when the same amount was offloaded in just 72 hours.
• Absence of Panic: Realized profit-and-loss data shows that current selling lacks the duration and intensity of a major cyclical downturn. Instead, it appears to be a period of supply absorption where the market is finding a balanced floor.

Technical Roadmap: Reclaiming $1.51 for a Recovery Rally

XRP is currently testing a narrow range, with its next major technical moves tied to key Fibonacci and psychological levels.

• Immediate Resistance: The first objective for a trend reversal is reclaiming $1.51. A daily close above this mark would invalidate the short-term bearish bias and target the $1.76–$1.80 resistance zone.
• Clean Liquidation Path: Heatmap data shows an absence of dense liquidation clusters immediately above the current price, suggesting that XRP has the technical “room to run” if buying momentum returns.
• The $1.27 Floor: On the downside, the $1.27 Fibonacci retracement level remains the critical support. A break below this would likely trigger a wave of panic selling, potentially exposing the $1.11 major support floor.

Essential Financial Disclaimer

This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Reports of Brad Garlinghouse’s appointment to the CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee and the XRP technical setup are based on news reports and on-chain data as of February 13, 2026. Regulatory appointments do not guarantee specific price outcomes or legal immunity for digital assets. XRP remains a high-risk asset subject to extreme volatility; the current price of $1.35 represents a significant decline from recent highs. A breakdown below the $1.27 support level could lead to substantial capital loss. Always conduct your own exhaustive research (DYOR) and consult with a licensed financial professional before making significant investment decisions in Ripple or XRP.

Do you think the CFTC appointment is the “final piece” of the regulatory puzzle for XRP, or is the $1.35 level a warning of further downside?