Brad Garlinghouse: The era of pressure on the US crypto industry is over
Date: 2025-10-16 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: BUSINESS
At the DC Fintech Week conference, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that the US crypto industry has reached a turning point and its development is now unstoppable. He asserted that even a change in the White House would not lead to a return to the previous policy of pressure. "The ship has sailed. You can't put the genie back in the bottle," he emphasized, adding that modern America can no longer ignore crypto technologies.
Garlinghouse noted that President Donald Trump, a vocal supporter of digital assets, has declared his intention to make the US "the crypto capital of the world." According to the Ripple CEO, this demonstrates recognition of the crypto industry as an important element of the country's financial future.
Criticism of Traditional Finance
In his speech, Garlinghouse also lashed out at representatives of traditional finance (TradFi), calling their position "two-faced." He emphasized that crypto companies face unfair treatment when they are restricted from accessing Federal Reserve master accounts, despite the same AML and KYC requirements as traditional banks.
"If we're required to follow the same rules, then we deserve a level playing field. You can't call for transparency on the one hand and block access to financial infrastructure on the other," Garlinghouse said, emphasizing the need for a fair approach to crypto businesses.
New Legislation and Regulatory Clarity
The Ripple CEO expressed confidence that the legal framework for digital assets in the US is gradually taking shape. He noted that the House of Representatives has already approved its own version of the bill, and the Senate is debating an alternative. Although the legislative process is slow, Garlinghouse is confident that the industry will ultimately receive much-needed clarity.
He recalled that Ripple achieved this clarity through a difficult legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which cost the company $150 million. However, he said the outcome was an important step not only for Ripple but for the entire industry. "We believe every crypto company deserves the same level of transparency, and we will continue to fight for it," he emphasized.
Earlier, on August 22, the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the agreement between Ripple Labs and the SEC, ending a long-running dispute that began in 2020. This outcome set a significant precedent, confirming that the crypto industry is capable of protecting its interests and shaping its own legal framework in the United States.
