At yesterday morning’s opening bell, Ripple (XRP) surged after the company’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, posted a photo on social media showing that he had just had dinner with US President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Florida. Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, followed him.
The content of their discussion is unknown As speculation mounts over whether their conversation will touch on legislation and regulatory developments surrounding cryptocurrency.
Ripple ignites speculation for a meeting of its own with the SEC’s higher-ups: The timing of this meeting is interesting as Ripple is nearing the end of its major case with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). Garlinghouse’s post read: “Strong start to 2025!” suggests hope for partnership with the incoming administration.
Ripple and The Trump Effect On Crypto
In response, Garlinghouse has spoken out of a bright future in light of Trump’s presidency in the cryptocurrency space. In a post on Jan. 5, the president referenced a rather speculative “Trump bull market” and expressed optimism that the new administration would make conditions more favourable for the digital asset industry.
Ripple’s ongoing court battle with the SEC under Chairman Gary Gensler has long been an obstacle, and Garlinghouse said many of Ripple’s woes stemmed from the actions of the regulator.
Trump’s administration could fix these setbacks and added that Ripple is now hiring 75% of its new employees in the United States, unlike the last four years, when most recruitment was international.
Trump’s pro-business approach and crypto-friendly appointees to his administration have already kicked off innovation and economic growth, Garlinghouse said.
Crypto Leaders Chatting With Trump
This isn’t the first time Trump has interacted with major players in the cryptocurrency industry since his re-election. On November 19, Trump held a call with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, according to reporting. Specifics were not made public, but sources said the discussion touched on cryptocurrency appointments in the administration.
Armstrong has been a strong advocate for pro-crypto policies, donating nearly $50 million to support candidates who share the industry’s vision through his company.
Trump’s shifting position on digital currencies—he initially took a swipe at Bitcoin—now appears to lean toward embracing the economic opportunity of the digital asset space.
Trump also met with Kris Marszalek, the crypto CEO, in December on a golf course in Florida. According to insiders, these discussions included whether Bitcoin could serve as a strategic reserve asset for the U.S. Treasury.
This meeting followed Crypto.com to deepen their ties with the future administration and draw closer to cooperative engagement after they recently retracted a suit they filed against the SEC.
XRP’s Market Performance Despite Ripple’s News
XRP: Ripple’s native token has witnessed a mixed reaction on the market. XRP was down 3.19% in the past 24 hours but still up 10.58% on the weekly. As for the 24-hour trading volume, it stands at $8.2 billion, while the market cap is $133.4 billion.
Ripple During The Trump Years
Garlinghouse’s meetup with Trump comes as Ripple faces legal hurdles and hopes to receive clearer regulatory guidance. With key appointments like Scott Bessent, David Sacks, and Paul Atkins, Trump’s administration looks set to establish a more favourable climate for cryptocurrency growth.
Details of what was discussed at the dinner are not yet known, but the meeting highlights the growing power of the cryptocurrency industry in political and economic affairs. These engagements by the company could pave the way for more monumental changes for Ripple and the overall digital asset landscape in the years to come.
FAQs
1. Why did Brad Garlinghouse meet Donald Trump?
It’s unclear precisely why the meeting was held, but it probably covered discussions on crypto regulation, Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC, and possible industry opportunities if Trump were to find himself working in the White House again.
2. What would a Trump administration mean for Ripple and the crypto industry?
Still, Trump could be a breath of fresh air for crypto and will work best for Ripple and more innovation and effectively positioned under Trump’s fourth pro-business for allowing innovation than the platform; he does not know anything similar at least until late 2034.
3. What does Ripple’s legal fight with the SEC mean?
Ripple v. the SEC is expected to set a precedent on how cryptocurrencies are treated in the U.S., directly affecting XRPs and the wider range of digital assets.
4. If yes, how has XRP’s performance in the market been impacted?
XRP dipped 3.19% within 24 hours but bore a 10.58% weekly rise, corresponding to the market fluctuations caused by speculation and important moments regarding Ripple and possible connections with Trump.
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