On March 27, 2026, Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse told Fox Business that the company is on track for a record first quarter in 2026, driven by strong momentum following a series of high-profile acquisitions in 2025. Ripple invested approximately $4 billion into the crypto ecosystem last year, including the $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road and the $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury. Garlinghouse described the period as one where Ripple has been “on a tear,” signaling robust growth across its business lines.
While optimistic about the overall direction of U.S. crypto regulation, Garlinghouse expressed concern that political maneuvering could slow progress. He specifically warned against “another Gary Gensler moment” where policy is weaponized for political gain rather than what is best for the United States and innovation.
Garlinghouse noted that the CLARITY Act — aimed at creating a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, including classification of tokens as commodities or securities and defining roles for the SEC and CFTC — is still expected to pass, but the timeline has slipped. He previously anticipated a signing by the end of April but now believes it will likely be finalized by the end of May.
“Watching the sausage getting made here has not been pretty,” Garlinghouse said of the legislative process. “We’re going to get there, it’s just taking a little longer than we thought.”
The comments come as Ripple continues to advocate strongly for XRP and clearer rules for the broader crypto industry. The company has positioned itself as a leader in cross-border payments and enterprise blockchain solutions, with recent acquisitions aimed at expanding its capabilities in payments infrastructure and treasury management.
Garlinghouse’s remarks reflect a balanced view: confidence in Ripple’s business performance paired with a call for lawmakers to prioritize innovation-friendly regulation over partisan battles. The CLARITY Act remains a key focus for the industry, as its passage would bring much-needed legal certainty to digital asset markets.
