Ripple CEO Pushes for XRP in US Reserves, Keeps IPO Option Alive
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has high hopes for the future of the company’s native token, XRP. In a recent interview with Bloomberg Markets, Garlinghouse expressed confidence that XRP will be included in the White House’s proposed digital asset reserves. He also anticipates that an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) will be approved and launched before the end of 2025. This optimism follows the dramatic news that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has decided to abandon its appeal in its protracted legal battle against Ripple.
In reaction to this news, XRP witnessed a remarkable surge, climbing over 12% in just 24 hours to reach a price of $2.56, briefly overtaking USDT to become the third-largest cryptocurrency, trailing only behind Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH). Although USDT was able to regain its market cap position, the contest between these two tokens continues to reflect the volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market.
During his interview, Garlinghouse noted comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who mentioned XRP as a part of the nation’s strategic crypto stockpile. This development comes after Trump’s executive order in March, which explicitly laid the groundwork for a Bitcoin reserve and other digital assets. The Ripple CEO further highlighted that there are over ten pending applications for XRP ETFs from companies such as Bitwise and Franklin Templeton, suggesting that multiple approvals could emerge in the second half of 2025.
Despite the obvious optimism surrounding XRP and potential regulatory clarity, Garlinghouse clarified that Ripple is focusing on other priorities right now. He mentioned that while the possibility of an initial public offering (IPO) remains, it is currently not a priority. This mirrors Ripple’s initial announcement about plans to go public back in 2020, a move that was stalled due to the ongoing SEC lawsuit.
The decision by the SEC to end the legal proceedings against Ripple marks the conclusion of a tumultuous four-year dispute. At the Digital Assets Summit in New York, Garlinghouse described the legal challenges as arduous but maintained his belief that Ripple’s operational practices were compliant with legal expectations. He voiced concerns about the SEC’s regulatory approach, deeming it excessive, especially in instances where there had been no financial harm.
In a broader context, the SEC’s recent withdrawal of lawsuits against various crypto firms, including Uniswap Labs, Robinhood, OpenSea, Coinbase, Consensys, Yuga Labs, and Kraken, indicates a shifting regulatory landscape for digital assets in the U.S. This retreat could pave the way for a more accommodating environment for cryptocurrencies moving forward.
As the dialogue around digital assets continues to evolve, Ripple, under Garlinghouse’s leadership, is poised to navigate these changes strategically, leveraging both market movements and regulatory developments to strengthen its position in the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
