Ripple Chief Executive Officer Brad Garlinghouse said regulatory uncertainty is costly, citing the $150 million the company spent fighting the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Speaking Thursday at the CFTC’s first Innovation Advisory Committee meeting, Garlinghouse called for clearer US crypto rules, saying prolonged uncertainty has made it harder for companies to operate and invest in the sector.
“The status quo is not good enough for consumers or for innovation,” Garlinghouse said.
About 80% of Ripple’s hiring during the four-year legal fight took place outside the US, he said, underscoring how the dispute affected the company’s expansion.
The SEC sued Ripple and Garlinghouse in 2020 over XRP sales. The two sides agreed in 2025 to end their appeals, bringing the long-running case closer to a conclusion.
The CFTC meeting covered crypto regulation, artificial intelligence and prediction markets as lawmakers continue debating federal oversight of digital assets.
CFTC Chairman Michael Selig has urged Congress to establish a federal crypto framework. The CLARITY Act would divide oversight between the SEC and CFTC.
Bitcoin rose 5.95% to $72,458.95 after President Donald Trump called on Congress to advance crypto legislation. Garlinghouse’s comments come as lawmakers weigh clearer rules for the industry.
