Ripple CEO on 60 Minutes: Garlinghouse Opens Up on $150 Million SEC Fight, Crypto War And More

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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse appeared in an interview on 60 Minutes, airing on December 8, 2024, where he discussed the company’s ongoing legal fight with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

Garlinghouse criticized the SEC’s approach, stating that it was a key reason why Ripple and two other companies formed the industry super PAC, FairShake, to fight back against what he described as a “war on crypto.” He suggested that FairShake might not have existed if the SEC had a different chairman than Gary Gensler.

When an SEC spokesperson said that the amount spent by the crypto industry on legal defense is minimal compared to the losses investors have faced due to frauds and market failures, Garlinghouse revealed Ripple’s financial contributions, revealing that the company has spent over $150 million fighting the SEC’s stance on XRP. 

He said that Ripple argues XRP should not be treated like a stock and be subject to the same registration and disclosure requirements. Garlinghouse stressed that Ripple is not seeking to be deregulated but instead asking for clear regulations from Congress to address the unique nature of digital assets.

“I went to Harvard Business School. I think I’m reasonably intelligent about something like, “What is a security?” So never once had I considered the possibility– that, “Okay, maybe XRP’s a security. We haven’t been asking to be deregulated. We’ve been asking to be regulated. So we have been saying, “Hey, look, just give us clear rules of the road,” he said.

XRP Price Reacts:

XRP, Ripple’s cryptocurrency, is currently experiencing a surge, approaching the $2.60 mark. At the time of writing, it was trading at $2.55, a 4.5% increase. Investors are optimistic about the future of the crypto industry, especially under a potential Trump presidency, as Ripple’s blockchain-based payment system continues to gain attention.

Previously, XRP’s price saw a boost following speculation about a possible meeting between Garlinghouse and President-elect Trump, as well as news about SEC Chairman Gary Gensler’s resignation.