Ripple CEO Faces Backlash Over Rumored Meeting with President-Elect Trump
Author: Content Editor
Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse is facing criticism after rumors of a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump. The rumored conversation was said to be about Ripple's XRP and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Other executives in the cryptocurrency industry have commented on Ripple's influence over U.S. cryptocurrency regulations, with some accusing Garlinghouse of pushing for XRP and CBDC projects. Pierre Rochard of Riot Platforms criticized Ripple for having an "anti-Bitcoin agenda" and called for the incoming Trump administration to appoint Bitcoin advocates to key policymaking roles. The value of XRP surged recently, further fueling speculation about Garlinghouse's meeting with Trump. Garlinghouse neither confirmed nor denied the meeting but spoke positively about Trump's alignment with the crypto industry. The SEC under Gary Gensler has been criticized for its enforcement-based approach to cryptocurrency regulations, and some states have sued the SEC for overreaching its jurisdictions. Ripple also received positive news as Robinhood Crypto reinstated XRP on its platform, signaling renewed confidence in the token.