Ripple Legal Chief Urges Senate Democrats to Meet Real Crypto Holders Ahead of CLARITY Act Vote

Ripple’s chief legal officer, Stuart Alderoty, has begun meeting with Senate staff from Democratic offices that are undecided or opposed to the CLARITY Act. His request is simple: arrange a conversation with an everyday American who holds digital assets before the senators cast their votes.

Why the Focus on Real Holders?

Alderoty argues that many lawmakers do not see the diverse profile of crypto owners. He emphasizes that the estimated 67 million U.S. crypto holders include teachers, nurses, veterans, construction workers, parents and small‑business owners, with a roughly equal split between those over 55 and those under 25, and about one‑third being women.

Economic Impact Cited by Ripple

• Approximately 232,000 jobs in the United States are linked to crypto activities.
• These jobs generate roughly $55 billion in economic activity.
• More crypto holders work in manufacturing and construction than in finance and technology.

The Upcoming Senate Vote

The Senate will hold a cloture vote on September 15 at about 2:15 p.m. ET. The cloture vote determines whether at least 60 senators will allow a full debate on the CLARITY Act. The bill proposes a federal market‑structure framework for digital assets, assigning oversight to the SEC and granting the CFTC exclusive jurisdiction over digital commodity spot markets – the largest expansion of CFTC authority to date.

Political Landscape

The CLARITY Act cleared the Senate Banking Committee in May with a 15‑9 vote, prompting a rise in XRP price. Seven Democratic senators have expressed concerns about the draft’s ethics provisions, leaving the cloture vote short of the required 60 votes.

Ripple’s Outlook

Alderoty describes the legislation as “sort of unbeatable” once passed, warning that the United States could miss a significant opportunity if the bill does not advance. He notes that XRP is trading near $1.44 and that XRP‑linked ETFs have attracted inflows on expectations of CLARITY’s passage.