Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has fueled speculation about his political ties as XRP experiences a notable surge in value. During a Friday interview with Fox Business, Garlinghouse was questioned about rumors of a meeting with former President Donald Trump, coinciding with the cryptocurrency’s rise.
When asked directly, Garlinghouse remained noncommittal, responding: “I’m not going to comment on too many specifics here.” Despite his neutrality, the Fox Business anchor interpreted his response as a tacit confirmation, remarking, “To me, it’s a yes.” However, there has been no official confirmation of any meeting between Garlinghouse and Trump. Instead, Garlinghouse emphasized his active engagement during the election period, focusing on advancing crypto-friendly innovation and regulatory clarity.
He highlighted the importance of ensuring the new administration recognizes the transformative potential of crypto, describing the shift as a “totally new day.”
Garlinghouse criticized the current U.S. “regulation through enforcement” approach, advocating for a move toward clearer policies. He suggested that the potential resignation of SEC Chair Gary Gensler could pave the way for a more crypto-supportive regulatory environment. “We finally have a crypto president. The crypto industry has embraced Trump, and Trump has embraced the crypto industry. I believe it’s sincere,” he stated.
Garlinghouse also noted XRP’s significant performance since the election. “XRP is up over 70% since election day. The top-performing crypto assets are tied to U.S. companies or technologies. This isn’t surprising,” he added.
Ripple continues to grapple with its ongoing legal battle with the SEC, which recently sought to appeal some of District Judge Analisa Torres’ rulings on XRP. Garlinghouse expressed optimism about the potential for a more favorable regulatory landscape but acknowledged that significant challenges remain for Ripple as the case unfolds.
