Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has lauded the Trump administration’s approach to crypto, calling it a big shift from what came before. This comes after a week of big crypto events, including the first-ever White House Crypto Summit and a CFTC CEO Roundtable with top industry players. Garlinghouse highlighted the priorities being shaped under this administration: regulatory clarity through congressional action, a BTC reserve, and stablecoin innovation tied to US Treasuries.
“There’s been a lot of talk about what this White House will do with their crypto agenda – most importantly, regulatory clarity through Congressional action, a BTC reserve & crypto stockpile, support for stablecoin innovation backed by US Treasuries, and more”; he said
From Hostile to Engaged
Garlinghouse’s comments also contrast the Trump administration’s crypto-friendly approach to the Biden administration’s regulatory stance, which many in the industry saw as hostile. The previous administration went with an enforcement driven regulatory policy and sued several crypto companies.
At the White House Crypto Summit, Ripple CEO and other industry leaders met with:
- President Donald Trump – Welcomed crypto industry leaders for face time.
- David Sacks – White House AI and Crypto Czar, helping to shape pro-crypto policies.
- Bo Hines – Executive Director of the President’s Council of Advisers on Digital Assets, organizer of the summit.
- Caroline Pham – CFTC Commissioner, hosted regulatory discussions.
This could mean a more structured and industry-led approach to crypto regulation instead of an enforcement only approach.
Policy Priorities: BTC Reserves, Stablecoins, Market Structure
One of the biggest ideas being talked about is the US government holding a BTC reserve. Ripple CEO mentioned Bitcoin’s long-term store of value potential and said official government participation would stabilize the market.
Also, stablecoin innovation was a major topic, with policymakers looking at frameworks to integrate stablecoins into the US financial system and have them backed by US Treasuries.

Industry leaders also highlighted:
- Market structure changes to provide clear rules for digital assets.
- Tax policy adjustments to remove what some execs see as unfair penalties on crypto transactions.
- No discrimination against crypto companies by banks (debanking).
“The government should encourage and support major banks to custody, trade and finance bitcoin assets. Debanking of crypto industry participants should not be tolerated.” – Garlinghouse statement.
Regulatory Clarity & US Crypto Future
Ripple CEO said there’s need for legislative action to establish rules not enforcement based regulation. He called on lawmakers to pass comprehensive crypto legislation so businesses and investors have a stable regulatory environment.
This is in line with efforts in Congress to pass crypto bills such as:
– The FIT21 Act – Creates a framework to define digital assets and agency oversight.
– The Stablecoin Clarity Act – Regulates stablecoin issuers under a federal standard not a patchwork of state laws.
As US policymakers move towards these regulatory shifts the crypto industry will play a bigger role in financial innovation and economic policy.
Industry Reactions: A Divided Response
The Trump administration’s crypto-friendly stance has been met with mixed reactions. While executives like Ripple CEO see it as a positive step towards legitimizing the industry, critics warn that government involvement in crypto could lead to unintended consequences.
Key perspectives from the industry:
– Supporters argue regulatory clarity will boost institutional adoption and make the US a global leader in crypto.
– Skeptics warn against government overreach, particularly with concepts like a BTC reserve, which could introduce risks of centralized control and policy volatility.
– Neutral observers believe that while engagement is necessary, the focus should be on decentralized principles, not state-controlled initiatives.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for US Crypto Regulation
The White House Crypto Summit and subsequent discussions are a tipping point for US government on digital assets. With Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and other industry leaders calling for a regulatory shift, the next few months will determine if the US embrace crypto innovation or continues its patchwork regulation.
As legislative efforts move forward, the crypto industry will be watching closely to see if the Trump administration follows through on its pro-crypto rhetoric with actual policy.
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FAQs
1. What did Ripple CEO ‘Brad Garlinghouse say about the Trump administration’s crypto policies?
The Ripple CEO said the administration is pro-crypto and mentioned ‘regulatory clarity, a BTC reserve and stablecoin innovation backed by US Treasuries.
2. What is the White House ‘Crypto Summit?
The White House Crypto Summit was a big meeting where top industry leaders including executives from Ripple, Coinbase and Kraken met with ‘US officials.
3. How is this different from the Biden administration’s crypto policies?
The Biden administration took an enforcement based approach and sued and created regulatory uncertainty. The Trump administration seems more open to industry engagement and structured regulation.
4. What is the proposed Bitcoin reserve?
Some industry leaders including Ripple CEO have suggested the US government should buy Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset like gold holdings.
5. What’s next for crypto regulation in the US?
Congress is looking at bills like the FIT21 Act and Stablecoin Clarity Act to provide a federal framework for digital assets.
Glossary
Bitcoin Reserve – The US government would hold BTC.
Stablecoin – A digital asset pegged to a value (e.g. USD) backed by US Treasuries.
Regulatory Clarity – Setting legal rules for crypto businesses and investors.
Debanking – Banks cutting off services to crypto companies.
FIT21 Act – A bill to define digital assets in the US.