Ripple CEO Criticizes Political Divide On Crypto: ‘Republicans Playing Chess, Democrats Checkers’

by

As a researcher with a strong background in technology and finance, I have closely followed the developments in the crypto industry, particularly the regulatory landscape and the ongoing legal battle between Ripple Labs and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The recent address by Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, at the Fortune 2024 BrainstormTech conference struck a chord with me due to his unique perspective and first-hand experiences.

At the enlightening Fortune 2024 BrainstormTech conference, I, as a researcher, had the opportunity to witness an intriguing discussion led by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. He delved into the deep-rooted divide between Republicans and Democrats in the United States regarding crypto policy.

Garlinghouse stressed the significance of a cohesive strategy for innovation, placing particular emphasis on the value of cryptotechnology in promoting efficiency and minimizing losses.

Ripple CEO Highlights Political Divide

As a researcher examining the political landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies, I’ve observed an intriguing dichotomy. Some Republicans express support for these digital assets, while a portion of Democrats maintain a more cautious perspective.

The CEO of Ripple agreed with the idea that news about President Biden possibly losing voter support due to his perceived anti-crypto stance, whereas former President Trump’s pro-crypto stance might be gaining him backing, follows a reasonable line of thought.

Based on his personal insights gained in Washington, Garlinghouse pointed out that Democratic leaders are starting to have doubts about their past stance, recognizing the importance of grasping how cryptocurrencies are used by law-abiding individuals who aim to adhere to regulations. Essentially, he asserts that “the Republicans are playing a strategic game of chess while the Democrats are sticking to simpler moves of checkers.”

As the CEO of Ripple, Garlinghouse openly discussed the obstacles encountered during our ongoing legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), regarding the sale of XRP.

As a crypto investor, I can tell you that I shared Garlinghouse’s initial concerns when the US government filed a lawsuit against Ripple towards the end of 2020. The uncertainty surrounding the legal proceedings cast a shadow over the company’s future and growth prospects.

Despite the legal uncertainties, Ripple saw remarkable growth in its first two years following the lawsuit. This was mainly driven by the company’s expansion into markets outside of the US.

Garlinhouse shared his disappointment that approximately 75% of Ripple’s clientele and transaction volume originate outside the US following the ongoing legal battle with the authorities. As a result, Ripple has chosen to focus more on recruiting talent from beyond the US borders.

Garlinghouse Warns Of Historical Consequences

At the conference, Garlinghouse acknowledged the absence of clear-cut regulations in the US market, leading Ripple to explore opportunities in jurisdictions with more specific rules, including Japan, the Middle East, Singapore, and the UK.

The CEO of Ripple called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States to step up and address the regulatory issues concerning cryptocurrencies. He issued a warning, stating that the current SEC administration’s stance might be looked back upon unfavorably in future historical records.

It’s intriguing that the long-standing legal battle between Ripple Labs and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could be nearing an end. According to Bitcoinist‘s recent update on July 15, 2024, the SEC has arranged a confidential session on Thursday, July 18, 2024, which may indicate ongoing settlement negotiations between the involved parties.

At first, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) aimed for a penalty close to $2 billion. However, they have since revised their request to $102.6 million. In contrast, Ripple has suggested a cap of only $10 million as a reference to the Terraform Labs settlement. Nevertheless, the SEC disagrees and believes such a small amount does not align with the intent of civil penalty legislation.

The outcome of this meeting is yet to be determined, which could bring an end to a nearly 4-year long dispute significantly affecting the company under SEC’s regulatory purview. If successful, it might set a precedent for resolving similar disputes with Coinbase and Uniswap Labs in the future.

Ripple CEO Criticizes Political Divide On Crypto: ‘Republicans Playing Chess, Democrats Checkers’

Currently, XRP is being bought and sold for approximately $0.58. Within the last day, its value has increased by more than 9%. Over the past week, there’s been a significant jump in its price, amounting to around 34%.

Read More

2024-07-17 14:13