Ripple CEO Says Crypto Is Here to Stay After US Elections

RippleXRP-7.83% CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently shared his thoughts following the U.S. elections, stating that political candidates supportive of digital assets won across both major political parties.

During the news cycle, BitcoinBTC-5.67% was trading at $75,882 (down 5.95%) and EthereumETH-7.79% was at $2,232 (down 8.20%). As a reminder, past performance of digital assets is not an indicator of future results, and crypto markets remain subject to significant price volatility.

Bipartisan Support and 67 Million American Crypto Users

Garlinghouse took to X to emphasize that support for digital assets spans both political sides in Washington. He noted that the growing user base of crypto holders is now a substantial constituency that lawmakers cannot ignore.

Pro-crypto members won on both sides of the aisle … and the 67M (and growing) Americans using crypto aren’t going anywhere. New Congress, with the same mission: clear rules, built in America.

The figure of 67 million crypto owners comes from the 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report, released on May 13 by the National Cryptocurrency Association in partnership with market research firm The Harris Poll. The research revealed that roughly one in four American adults holds cryptocurrency, up from one in five the previous year.

The Impact of Political Advocacy and Super PACs

Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty credited industry advocacy efforts for these election outcomes. Specifically, he pointed to Fairshake, an independent political action committee (super PAC) dedicated to supporting pro-crypto candidates across primary and general elections.

Super PACs can raise unlimited funds for political spending independently of specific campaigns. Ripple has been a major supporter, disclosing its third $25 million contribution to Fairshake in November 2024 as part of a long-term commitment to Washington advocacy.

Alderoty also highlighted grassroots work by advocacy groups like Stand With Crypto, which tracks candidates' stances on digital asset policies. Early data from the group showed that a substantial number of pro-crypto members won their races.

Pushing for Clear Regulations Beyond One Election

Ripple leadership stressed that establishing clear regulatory frameworks is an ongoing process. Earlier in the year, Alderoty engaged in outreach to Senate offices regarding the CLARITY Act, urging lawmakers to connect with constituent crypto holders before voting.

Although the CLARITY Act failed to advance in the Senate, Alderoty emphasized that policy advocacy requires continuous effort across multiple political cycles.

Congratulations to everyone elected this week. We look forward to working with members of both parties to keep America the best place in the world to build the future. Clear rules for digital assets were never a one-cycle project.

Mainstream Adoption and Future Institutional Outlook

Beyond politics, Alderoty explained that digital assets are becoming deeply integrated into mainstream finance. Everyday users, businesses, and banking institutions are using crypto to power payments and build financial independence.

In line with this broader expansion, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has maintained that XRP is positioned to emerge as an institutional standard for global payment infrastructure over the next five years. However, long-term adoption and token performance remain dependent on ongoing regulatory clarity, technological implementation, and broader economic conditions.