Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse on Wednesday made his most positive comments yet regarding Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, as he sought to uphold the company's official neutral stance on the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Ta.
During a stage appearance at DC Fintech Week This afternoon, crypto industry executives praised what they considered Harris' approach to digital assets to be sophisticated, in contrast to the strategy of her election opponent, former President Donald Trump. It seems so.
“Obviously, Mr. Trump came out very aggressively early on and said he was the crypto president,” Garlinghouse said. “Kamala and Team Harris have become more nuanced.”
Ripple's chief went on to praise Harris' accomplishments. announcement Last week, he announced that he would support a crypto regulatory framework if elected, calling the statement “most constructive.”
Garlinghouse acknowledged that Vice President Harris has been “relatively silent” on cryptocurrencies, but playing cardshe framed the Democratic candidate as a “pro-tech” leader with roots in Silicon Valley.
Therefore, even though Ripple's CEO claimed that the upcoming presidential election will be the most important in the history of cryptocurrencies, a victory for either Harris or Trump would mean that the current administration He argued that this would be good news for the industry.
“I think no matter what happens, we’re going to reset and move forward,” Garlinghouse said. “No matter what happens, we will be left with a failed approach from the Biden administration.”
In recent days, Ripple has come under increasing scrutiny within the industry due to the political allegiances of its leaders. Chris Larsen, one of the company's co-founders, said Monday. announced After the donation, he said he personally donated an additional $10 million worth of XRP to support Harris' campaign. 1 million dollars In August. XRP is a cryptocurrency that Ripple's founders helped create and that the company uses as a money transfer tool.
Some industry insiders have criticized the donations following President Trump's presidential election. month 's campaign trail appeals to crypto projects and holders. Nick Carter, a technology-focused startup venture capitalist and prominent voice on cryptocurrency Twitter, said: slammed Mr. Larsen's financial support for Ms. Harris is “completely puzzling,” he said.
However, Garlinghouse quickly chimed in to support the donation, stressing that he respects the right of any Ripple employee to support “the person we think is best suited to lead America.”
I respect Chris' (and everyone's!) right to support whoever he thinks is best to lead the United States.
We need to immediately pivot from the current administration’s misguided war on cryptocurrencies.
Ripple will continue to engage with both Democrats and Republicans in the final days…
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) October 21, 2024
Ripple's CEO claimed on Wednesday that the company will not support either presidential candidate until November. But the position he has staked for himself and Ripple has already caused some ripples within the industry.
Edited by Andrew Hayward
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