Breaking: Ripple CEO Testifies Before US Senate in High-Stakes Crypto Regulation Showdown

Washington's power players finally wake up to crypto's trillion-dollar elephant in the room.

## The Hearing That Could Reshape Digital Finance

Brad Garlinghouse faced a firing squad of senators today—some clutching printed copies of whitepapers, others still calling it 'the Bitcoin.' The hearing marked Congress' first serious attempt to regulate crypto without strangling it in the crib. Mostly.

## What's Actually at Stake

Ripple's chief didn't hold back: 'Regulate the bad actors, not the technology.' A direct shot at SEC overreach that's left the industry playing regulatory whack-a-mole. Meanwhile, banking lobbyists could be seen quietly hyperventilating in the back rows.

## The Cynical Take

Watch how fast lawmakers move now that their donor portfolios include more digital assets than their campaign promises include specifics. The real question isn't if regulation comes—it's which Wall Street players wrote the first draft.

Key Legislative Proposals in Focus

As the committee listens to Garlinghouse, the Senate will evaluate three critical legislative proposals: the CLARITY Act, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and the GENIUS Act. The CLARITY Act aims to resolve the confusion between which cryptocurrencies are securities and which are commodities, thereby clarifying the jurisdictional roles of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). According to Senator Scott, one of the act’s co-sponsors, the proposal might be up for a vote by October if the political environment permits.

$2-CEOsu-Brad-Garlinghouse.jpg” alt=”” width=”609″ height=”417″ />Ripple CEO’su Brad Garlinghouse

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act focuses on concerns that central bank digital currency projects may infringe on individual privacy, proposing layers of protections against extensive surveillance. Meanwhile, the GENIUS Act seeks to enhance investor confidence by establishing a standard licensing framework for intermediaries, exchanges, and custodial firms. All three proposals share a common goal of reducing uncertainty in the cryptocurrency market and fostering a space open to innovation, yet subject to oversight.

Supporting Voices in the Discussion

Garlinghouse will be joined by Jonathan Levin, CEO of the blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, Summer Mersinger from the Blockchain Association, and a distinguished academic from Harvard University. The speakers will argue that clear and transparent regulations are crucial for the US to maintain its competitive edge in the global cryptocurrency sector.

Garlinghouse’s main focus is on ensuring cryptocurrency companies know which regulatory body to report to in advance, thus preventing investments from leaving the US and keeping employment domestic. The Ripple executive contends that strong yet fair regulations can elevate security standards without penalizing innovative projects. Levin will provide legislative support with evidence that transparent blockchain tracking tools already combat crime effectively. Mersinger will highlight how policy gaps deter entrepreneurship and that clearer regulations could accelerate capital flow.