Ripple CEO Responds Not True To Theranos Founder Holmes on Social Media

TLDR

Table of Contents

Ripple CEO Garlinghouse says Holmes claim is “Not true” in social media debate.
Shiba Inu volume rises 71% to $235.8 million after Kusama teases “1326.”
SHIB trades at $0.000006822 amid community excitement over Easter egg.
Tom Lee expects crypto winter may end before April 2026.

The crypto market is buzzing on February 15 as Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse clashes with Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes online, Shiba Inu (SHIB) trading volume jumps 71% after a mysterious “1326” tease, and crypto analyst Tom Lee predicts the end of crypto winter could arrive by 2026, sparking investor interest.

Ripple CEO Responds to Elizabeth Holmes

On February 15, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse responded to Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in an unexpected social media exchange. Holmes commented on the U.S. federal conviction rate, noting defendants often face disadvantages in government cases.

Garlinghouse replied directly, saying the statement was “Not true.” The conversation escalated as Holmes referenced the SEC v. Ripple case. She compared her own criminal conviction to Ripple’s civil settlement, noting her $500,000 SEC fine and felony charges versus Ripple’s $125 million civil penalty.

Not true.
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) February 14, 2026

Holmes stated, “Criminal charges are different from civil cases,” emphasizing the distinction between her case and Ripple’s. While this exchange drew attention online, it does not change the outcome of the Ripple lawsuit, which has already concluded.

Shiba Inu Volume Surges 71%

Shiba Inu (SHIB), the Ethereum-based meme coin, saw a 71.6% increase in trading volume on February 15, reaching $235.8 million. The SHIB price was $0.000006822 during this spike.

The surge followed a cryptic social media post by SHIB community lead Shytoshi Kusama. He teased the number “1326,” which traders linked to a potential update or Easter egg for the Shiba Inu platform. This led to increased buying activity among SHIB holders.

The rise in volume suggests strong engagement from the SHIB community. Analysts noted that such spikes are often driven by social media activity rather than broad market trends.

Tom Lee Predicts End of Crypto Winter by 2026

Fundstrat chairman Tom Lee provided a forecast for the broader cryptocurrency market. He stated that crypto winter, a period of low market activity and declining prices, may already be ending or could conclude before April 2026.

Lee cited improving market indicators and institutional interest in digital assets as key factors supporting his prediction. Investors and traders are watching closely to see whether this trend leads to sustained growth across major cryptocurrencies.

The prediction adds optimism to a market that has experienced volatility over the past year. While exact timing remains uncertain, market watchers consider Tom Lee’s forecast a noteworthy reference for 2026 planning.

Crypto Market Outlook

As of February 15, key developments in the crypto market include the Ripple-Holmes exchange, the SHIB trading spike, and optimism from Tom Lee’s forecast. Traders are paying attention to social media trends and regulatory outcomes that could influence market activity.

Investors in meme coins like SHIB continue to react quickly to community-led signals. Meanwhile, civil and criminal cases related to high-profile figures remain a source of public discussion, showing the intersection between legal matters and crypto narratives.

With these developments, the market shows both renewed interest in specific coins and cautious optimism about future trends in cryptocurrency activity.