Ripple CEO: “Anti‑Crypto Army” beaten — courts, voters and Trump
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse on Thursday declared that years of U.S. regulatory pressure on crypto have finally been defeated, crediting the courts, voters — and President Donald Trump. In a post on X, Garlinghouse slammed the prior administration’s anti‑crypto campaign as “nonsensical,” saying it drove firms and innovation offshore and “never made policy, legal or political sense.”
Garlinghouse’s comments echo remarks from Trump, who this week used Truth Social to claim he saved the American digital‑assets industry from former SEC Chair Gary Gensler and an “Anti‑Crypto Army” that nearly “destroyed” the sector. Trump added: “America is now the CRYPTO CAPITAL of the WORLD, and Builders and Entrepreneurs are coming BACK to the United States where they belong,” pledging to “future‑proof” market‑structure legislation so it “cannot be undone by the Crypto Haters.” He also framed U.S. leadership in digital assets as a priority the government must protect.
Regulatory tide turning
The rhetoric comes amid a noticeable shift in enforcement posture from U.S. regulators over the last 18 months — from aggressive “regulation by enforcement” toward a more welcoming, pro‑innovation approach.
- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) joined crypto exchange Gemini this week in asking for relief from a January 2025 judgment, including a $5 million penalty. The Commission said it reviewed the case history and federal digital‑asset policy changes and concluded the original complaint “should not have been filed — and would not have been under current enforcement standards.”
- The SEC has likewise dismissed multiple investigations and lawsuits against crypto firms as it pivots toward facilitating innovation, and officials say the agency is moving to develop a clearer, “fit‑for‑purpose” regulatory framework.
Last month SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and Commissioner Hester Peirce said the agency’s new posture has made it easier to build clearer rules that address industry problems while opening opportunities for innovation.
Ripple presses for clarity
Riding the regulatory shift, Ripple recently sent a follow‑up letter to the SEC Crypto Task Force after a March meeting between industry and regulators. Ripple asked for clearer guidance on the treatment of payment stablecoins, crypto assets that are not securities, and tokenized securities under the new net‑capital and customer‑protection rules. The company also sought next steps for broader guidance and praised the Task Force and Commissioner Peirce for an “in‑depth and engaging discussion.”
What it means
Executives and politicians are seizing on a new chapter for U.S. crypto policy: industry leaders say the combination of court wins, changes in enforcement priorities, and vocal executive support are bringing builders and capital back to the U.S. Regulators still face the task of turning that momentum into durable rules that balance innovation, investor protection and market integrity — and firms like Ripple are already pressing for the clarity they want.
Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news
