Ripple CEO: US Finally Moving Toward Clear Crypto Rules After Years of Advocacy

A Decade of Change in Washington

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has expressed confidence that the United States is closer than ever to establishing clear regulatory rules for cryptocurrency. Speaking following the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s inaugural Innovation Advisory Committee meeting on August 20, Garlinghouse observed that Washington’s approach to digital assets has shifted dramatically over the past ten years.

The CFTC committee, chaired by Chairman Michael Selig, brought together executives from crypto platforms and traditional financial institutions to advise on technology, legal, and policy challenges. Garlinghouse emphasized that participants reached agreement on a fundamental principle: regulatory frameworks designed for an earlier era fail consumers, businesses, and innovation alike. He noted that everyone involved recognized the necessity for modernized standards suited to contemporary financial infrastructure.

From Advocacy to Regulatory Momentum

Garlinghouse’s optimism builds on years of industry advocacy. In July 2019, he and Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen submitted an open letter to Congress arguing that digital assets require regulation reflecting their unique characteristics. The letter warned that absent clear regulatory guidance, the sector would suffer setbacks in innovation and job creation. That message now appears to be resonating.

Recent months have delivered concrete developments. In March, the SEC and CFTC jointly released guidance clarifying how existing federal securities and commodities laws apply to different types of crypto assets. The SEC also developed a token taxonomy framework for classifying digital assets. The CFTC’s Innovation Advisory Committee represents another step, formally positioning the agency as an active participant in industry dialogue.

The Crypto Industry’s Regulation-Seeking Position

Committee membership reflects broad industry support for clear rules, including executives from Coinbase, Uniswap Labs, BitGo, Nasdaq, CME Group, and Cboe. At the SALT Wyoming conference, Garlinghouse pushed back against the narrative that crypto inherently resists regulation. The industry has consistently sought regulatory engagement, he contended, contrary to persistent misconceptions. Ripple itself operates under 75 licenses globally, demonstrating the industry’s willingness to comply with structured oversight.

Garlinghouse also referenced his company’s legal battle with the SEC as evidence of commitment to regulatory clarity. When a federal judge ruled that XRP in itself does not constitute a security, it provided the kind of definitive classification the industry had long sought. This outcome exemplified how legal engagement can establish the foundations for clear rules.

Regulatory clarity removes uncertainty for both institutions and investors, potentially unlocking broader adoption of crypto infrastructure and digital assets across traditional finance and emerging markets.

Source: Brad Garlinghouse / Ripple, via U.Today. Not financial advice.