Ripple CLO urges Senate to hear 67 million crypto holders before CLARITY Act cloture vote

Ripple’s chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, has written to Senate offices urging lawmakers who are undecided or opposed to the CLARITY Act to meet directly with an estimated 67 million U.S. cryptocurrency holders. Alderoty argues that individual owners, rather than lobbyists and industry groups, should be heard before the Senate takes a procedural vote on September 15.

Procedural vote and vote threshold

The Senate will hold a cloture vote at about 2:15 p.m. ET on September 15. Cloture requires the support of 60 senators and would allow formal debate on the bill, but it does not decide the measure’s final passage. With Republicans holding 53 seats, the motion needs at least seven Democratic or independent votes, assuming full Republican support.

Key points of dispute

• Presidential ethics rules – Democrats seek tighter restrictions on crypto activities involving the president, senior officials, and their families.
• Stablecoin rewards – Community banks warn that rewards on stablecoin balances could divert deposits, while crypto firms oppose limits on such incentives.
• DeFi developer protections – Senators are divided over how to shield developers who do not control customer assets while addressing money‑laundering concerns.

Legislative background

The CLARITY Act passed the House in July 2025 (294‑134) and cleared the Senate Banking Committee in May 2026 by a 15‑9 vote, with only two Democrats supporting it at the committee stage. The bill would create a federal market‑structure framework for digital assets, splitting oversight between the SEC and the CFTC and defining when a token is a security versus a commodity.

Advocacy and lobbying activity

Stand With Crypto reported nearly 50,000 calls and emails to Congress in August, while the Independent Community Bankers of America urged local bankers to contact senators over provisions that could let digital tokens compete with bank deposits.

Ripple’s position

Ripple executives have consistently supported congressional action on crypto market structure. Earlier in September, CEO Brad Garlinghouse called for a finished regulatory framework, saying the United States could become a global crypto hub.

Next steps

If cloture succeeds, the Senate will debate the bill, consider amendments, and later vote on passage. Any Senate version differing from the House text will require reconciliation before reaching the president. The House has only four legislative days after September 15 before another recess, limiting the time available for further action.