Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has declared that the so-called “anti-crypto army” in Washington has been decisively overcome—thanks to legal victories, voter sentiment, and President Donald Trump. In a recent social media post, Garlinghouse argued that attacking digital assets was always a flawed strategy, lacking sound policy, legal justification, or political logic. He stated that opposing financial innovation only served to protect outdated and broken systems.
The timing of Garlinghouse’s comments coincides with a major shift in the regulatory landscape. After years of legal battles, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission agreed to drop its appeal in the XRP case. Ripple will pay a $50 million civil penalty—far less than the original $125 million—and the agency is moving to lift an injunction that had restricted the company. Garlinghouse sees this as a historic win for Ripple and the broader crypto industry.
The legal turnaround has been accompanied by a political transformation. Following Trump’s 2024 election victory, crypto-aligned groups claimed credit for influencing key swing states. Industry advocates now highlight a growing “crypto voter” bloc that punished candidates who supported Senator Elizabeth Warren’s anti-crypto rhetoric. Garlinghouse has publicly thanked Trump, noting that XRP became the top-performing major cryptocurrency over a 90-day period in early 2025. This rally was fueled by both the election and the SEC settlement, demonstrating how tightly politics, enforcement, and market prices are now linked.
Looking ahead, Garlinghouse and other industry leaders are focused on legislative progress. The Trump administration is pushing for the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, known as the CLARITY Act, which aims to establish clear federal rules for cryptocurrencies. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described such rules as necessary for stabilizing markets and enabling institutional investment. Garlinghouse estimates a 90% chance that the CLARITY Act will pass by April, which would solidify the legal progress made in court cases like Ripple’s.
For XRP holders, Garlinghouse’s declaration that the anti-crypto army has been defeated is both a vindication and a call to action. The broader message is clear: U.S. crypto policy has evolved from a niche regulatory issue into a major political force that can influence court decisions, elections, and billions of dollars in market value. While questions remain about whether Trump’s team will deliver a coherent regulatory framework, Garlinghouse is already framing the industry’s narrative of victory.