Ripple CEO Finds Optimism After CLARITY Act Defeat

Ripple chief executive Brad Garlinghouse said the failure of the CLARITY Act in the Senate does not diminish optimism for the U.S. cryptocurrency sector. He highlighted the continued work of federal regulators and affirmed that Ripple’s commercial growth remains strong.

Senate Vote on the CLARITY Act

On September 15, the Senate rejected cloture on H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, by a 49‑50 vote. Garlinghouse had publicly supported the bill and described the defeat as a setback that warrants a post‑mortem analysis.

Regulatory Focus Shifts to the SEC and CFTC

Garlinghouse pointed to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under Chair Gary Gensler and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) under Chair Rostin Behnam as the next venues for establishing crypto rules. He said Ripple will stay actively engaged in the rule‑making processes of both agencies.

Ripple’s Business Momentum Remains Intact

The CEO asserted that Ripple’s demand from traditional finance and the digital‑asset ecosystem continues to grow. He noted ongoing initiatives such as the promotion of Ripple USD (RLUSD) for institutional use and the development of an XRPL lending protocol aimed at on‑chain credit for financial institutions.

Outlook for U.S. Crypto Leadership

Garlinghouse reiterated his belief that U.S. crypto capital‑raising goals are within reach, emphasizing that legislative setbacks do not alter Ripple’s global footprint or customer base.