Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse advocated for XRP’s inclusion in the U.S. government’s digital asset reserves while affirming that an initial public offering (IPO) remains a viable future option for the company. His comments follow the SEC’s decision to abandon its appeal in the long-running legal case against Ripple, which has provided clearer regulatory certainty for XRP. The token surged over 12% to $2.56 after the announcement, briefly overtaking Tether (USDT) as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap.
Garlinghouse highlighted former President Donald Trump’s explicit mention of XRP in discussions about a strategic crypto reserve, aligning with a recent executive order to establish Bitcoin and other digital assets as part of the nation’s financial infrastructure. He also predicted the launch of XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the U.S. by late 2025, citing over a dozen pending applications from firms such as Bitwise and Franklin Templeton. The CEO pointed to growing institutional demand, noting successful XRP-based investment products in global markets.
While Ripple previously delayed IPO plans due to regulatory hostility under SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Garlinghouse confirmed the option remains open. The company repurchased $1 billion worth of shares in 2024 to provide liquidity for early investors but emphasized that going public is not an immediate priority. Garlinghouse criticized the SEC’s enforcement-focused approach, calling the lawsuit against Ripple “doomed from the start,” and expressed optimism about a shifting regulatory landscape under new leadership.
The SEC’s withdrawal of its case against Ripple marked the end of a four-year legal battle, with Garlinghouse describing the outcome as a precedent for clearer crypto regulation. He reiterated XRP’s utility in cross-border payments, citing its speed, low cost, and scalability as competitive advantages. Market analysts attribute recent whale accumulation and heightened network activity to growing confidence in XRP’s role within institutional and governmental frameworks.
Sources:
Ripple CEO Pushes for XRP in US Reserves, Keeps IPO Option Alive
https://defi-planet.com/2025/03/ripple-ceo-anticipates-xrp-inclusion-in-us-crypto-reserve-and-etf-launch/
Ripple CEO Says IPO Is A Possibility, But SEC Boss Poses A Challenge
https://beincrypto.com/ripple-halts-ipo-sec-crypto-crackdown-xrp/
https://www.financemagnates.com/cryptocurrency/ripple-delays-ipo-plans-citing-hostile-us-regulator/
