Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has positioned XRP at the center of U.S. cryptocurrency policy discussions, advocating for its inclusion in the federal government’s proposed digital asset reserves while keeping the door open for a future initial public offering. The developments follow the Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision to drop its multi-year legal case against Ripple, triggering a 12% XRP price surge to $2.56 and briefly making it the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Garlinghouse revealed that former President Donald Trump explicitly named XRP as a component of the planned national crypto stockpile during recent policy discussions. The proposed framework includes a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve alongside a diversified cryptocurrency reserve, with Garlinghouse stating that seized digital assets from law enforcement actions could contribute to XRP’s inclusion. This strategic shift comes as Ripple gains regulatory clarity after Judge Analisa Torres’ 2023 ruling that XRP isn’t a security when sold to retail investors, a decision the SEC abandoned challenging last week.
The CEO expressed strong confidence in upcoming XRP exchange-traded funds, referencing 11 pending applications with regulators including proposals from Franklin Templeton and Bitwise. He anticipates approvals in the second half of 2025, citing growing institutional interest and successful international XRP investment products. While acknowledging persistent IPO possibilities, Garlinghouse clarified that going public isn’t an immediate priority, emphasizing Ripple’s $11 billion valuation and recent $285 million share buyback program.
Market analysts note XRP’s 385% surge since November’s pro-crypto regulatory shifts, with CoinCodex predicting a potential March peak of $4.36. The resolution of Ripple’s legal challenges has sparked broader market optimism, with Bitcoin and Ethereum climbing 3.2% and 4% respectively alongside XRP’s gains. Garlinghouse framed these developments as validation of Ripple’s long-term strategy, criticizing former SEC leadership for creating “false negative pressure” through aggressive litigation he claims lacked investor harm.
Sources:
Ripple CEO Pushes for XRP in US Reserves, Keeps IPO Option Alive
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/ceo-brad-garlinghouse-just-sent-xrp-ripple-soaring
https://crypto.news/ripple-ceo-expects-xrp-etfs-to-launch-by-h2-2025-xrp-whale-holdings-surge-6-5-to-114b/
https://afrotech.com/xrp-price-surges-after-lawsuit-is-dropped
