Ripple Labs, CEO Face Scrutiny Over Alleged Trump Meeting Rumors

Ripple Labs and CEO Brad Garlinghouse are under fire after rumors about a potential meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. The allegations sparked strong reactions, with critics questioning Garlinghouse’s intentions. This debate adds to the ongoing tension surrounding Ripple’s influence in U.S. crypto policy.

Rumored Meeting Raises Concerns in the Crypto Space

Ryan Selkis, former CEO of Messari, criticized Garlinghouse for promoting XRP and CBDC implementations. He shared his thoughts on social media, which were later reposted by Pierre Rochard, VP of Research at Riot Platforms. 

Rochard voiced concerns about Ripple’s potential influence on U.S. policy making, stating that they can't let Ripple co-opt the United States policy making process with their anti-bitcoin agenda.

The rumored meeting is believed to have sparked XRP’s recent surge in value. The coin experienced a double-digit price increase, leading some to believe the rumors helped fuel investor optimism. 

Garlinghouse Remains Optimistic About Trump’s Impact on Crypto

Garlinghouse did not confirm or deny meeting with Trump. During a recent Fox Business interview, he expressed confidence in the future of the crypto industry under Trump. He also noted that crypto markets reacted positively after Trump’s victory. 

Garlinghouse cited Gensler’s hostility toward crypto space as a major factor hindering U.S.-based crypto projects. Trump’s promise to remove Gensler on his first day in office has been met with widespread approval from the crypto community. 

In response to Gensler’s approach, 18 states have filed a lawsuit, accusing the SEC chair of overstepping his authority. This legal battle has only fueled the ongoing controversy surrounding Ripple and its leadership.