Ripple’s CEO Claims Victory: Will the CLARITY Act Change Everything?

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On a rather mundane February day, Ripple‘s esteemed leader, Brad Garlinghouse, graced the screens of Fox News, making bold proclamations about the future of U.S. crypto policy. He suggested that the long-dormant CLARITY Act might just rouse itself from its slumber by the end of April, promising that regulatory clarity could usher in a new era of growth for the industry. One might wonder if this is akin to predicting the arrival of spring in the middle of a snowstorm.

Garlinghouse’s Optimism: A Daring Gamble

With an air of bravado, Garlinghouse pointed out the shifting tides in Washington, suggesting that prediction markets were finally feeling optimistic. “The CLARITY Act spiked because of comments yesterday from a senator,” he mused, with the confidence of a fortune teller predicting riches. “I think now 90% will pass by the end of April.” Can we get a round of applause for such certainty?

He further elaborated on the White House’s newfound enthusiasm for engaging stakeholders, describing a meeting that took place “today” (which could very well be a euphemism for ‘whenever’). “The White House is pushing hard,” he declared, as if the fate of the nation rested on this singular piece of legislation.

When pressed about Ripple’s own struggles, Garlinghouse displayed a remarkable level of nonchalance regarding the bill’s imperfections, declaring, “don’t let perfection be the enemy of progress.” How charmingly optimistic! After all, who cares about the fine print when one can achieve clarity?

In a moment of comic relief, he juxtaposed Ripple’s legal saga with the broader industry’s plight, noting, “Ripple has been fortunate – sued by the government.” Ah yes, the sweet taste of clarity, served with a side of litigation.

The CLARITY Act, according to Garlinghouse, aims to rescue crypto from the clutches of a securities regime that doesn’t quite fit. “If something is a security, all kinds of obligations follow,” he explained. It appears he believes that crypto tokens should be free spirits, floating in a world unencumbered by such trivialities as governance rights. How liberating!

Ripple’s Strategy and the Curious Case of XRP

As the conversation meandered toward the sector’s recent downturn, Garlinghouse cleverly connected it to ongoing policy delays. “The CLARITY Act getting pushed and stalled did not help,” he lamented, as if the universe conspired against him. Yet, he was quick to assure us that Ripple entered 2026 with “strong momentum” after what he cheerfully dubbed “a tremendous year in 2025.” Truly inspirational!

In a dramatic twist, Garlinghouse touted XRP’s impressive resilience, claiming it bested other major cryptocurrencies. “To your point, XRP is down only 20%,” he proclaimed, as if a 20% drop were something to celebrate. Meanwhile, others suffered far worse fates – a real tragedy of sorts.

Ripple’s grand strategy, he declared, centers around demonstrating practical utility rather than spinning tales for retail investors. “The more we demonstrate real practical utility using technologies to solve real problems, the more you see that play out positively,” he asserted, perhaps hoping to charm his audience into believing that serious business is indeed afoot.

As he discussed Ripple’s ambitious acquisitions-three billion dollars worth since 2023-one couldn’t help but wonder if he had accidentally stumbled upon a game of Monopoly rather than the serious business of cryptocurrency. He shared a particularly riveting detail about a treasury-management firm that processed an astounding 13 trillion dollars in payments last year. “None of those were stablecoin enabled,” he noted, as if that were a shocking revelation worthy of a gasp.

In a final flourish, Garlinghouse indicated that the frenzy of deal-making might take a back seat for now. “We bought two big companies last year, and the first half of this year is all about integration,” he stated, professing a newfound patience. For the time being, it seems, they will slow down before revving up again, as if riding a bicycle downhill with the brakes firmly engaged.

Interestingly, Garlinghouse argued that the CLARITY fight is no longer a battle between cryptos and banks. Instead, it’s a love affair, with incumbents eagerly wanting a rulebook of their very own. “The vast majority of the crypto industry is prepared to accept imperfect language,” he said, hinting at a whimsical acceptance of mediocrity as a glorious victory. What a charming conclusion to a perplexing narrative!

At press time, XRP traded at $1.4196, an amount that might just buy you a decent cup of coffee in this unpredictable market.

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2026-02-20 17:23