Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently discussed the future of XRP and the U.S. crypto market on BBC, marking his first mention of the cryptocurrency on the platform. Garlinghouse’s appearance comes amid growing anticipation in the crypto community about potential regulatory changes under the presidency of Donald Trump.

Garlinghouse Shares Optimism for XRP’s Future

During the interview, Garlinghouse expressed confidence in the future of XRP, touching on key developments that have shaped the token’s journey. The discussion quickly turned to the ongoing legal battles surrounding Ripple, particularly the SEC v. Ripple lawsuit. Despite the unresolved nature of the case, Garlinghouse emphasized that the status of XRP as a non-security remains firmly in place, following a ruling from U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres.

“XRP’s non-security status, as confirmed by Judge Torres, is the law of the land,” Garlinghouse stated. “The SEC did not challenge this ruling on appeal, even though they contested parts of the decision related to institutional sales.”

Trump’s Presidency and the SEC’s Role

A significant part of the conversation focused on Garlinghouse’s expectations for the future of U.S. crypto regulation under a second Trump presidency. He voiced optimism about Trump’s support for cryptocurrency and its potential to reshape the regulatory landscape.

Garlinghouse pointed to Trump’s public stance at the 2024 Bitcoin Conference, where the former president vowed to fire Gary Gensler, the current chair of the SEC, on his first day in office. Gensler has faced considerable criticism from the crypto community due to his regulatory approach, which many feel has been overly aggressive and unclear.

Garlinghouse echoed this sentiment, referring to Gensler as having “waged a war against the crypto industry.” He noted that under Gensler’s leadership, the U.S. has fallen behind other countries in terms of crypto regulation, and the industry’s growth has been stifled due to a lack of clear rules. Many crypto advocates, including Garlinghouse, view the removal of Gensler as a positive step for the sector.

SEC’s Approach to Crypto as Securities

Another focal point of the interview was the ongoing tension between the SEC and the crypto industry, particularly the commission’s stance on labeling cryptocurrencies as securities. Garlinghouse took aim at the SEC’s position, criticizing its broad classification of many cryptocurrencies as securities.

“Crypto holders do not have the same rights as securities holders, like the ability to participate in profit-sharing,” Garlinghouse explained. “The SEC is trying to regulate the industry through enforcement rather than providing clear rules that would help both the industry and regulators.”

This frustration is shared by many in the crypto sector, as the lack of regulatory clarity has left investors and developers in a state of uncertainty. Garlinghouse reiterated the need for a more structured and transparent regulatory framework, one that would enable innovation to flourish while protecting consumers.

The SEC v. Ripple Lawsuit: No Clear Resolution Yet

While Garlinghouse refrained from offering any concrete predictions on how the SEC v. Ripple case will ultimately play out, he underscored the progress that Ripple has made so far. XRP’s victory on the non-security status issue has been a major legal milestone, but Ripple continues to face challenges related to the SEC’s stance on XRP’s institutional sales.

The lawsuit, which has been dragging on for years, is seen as a critical case that could set a precedent for how other cryptocurrencies are treated by regulators. Garlinghouse expressed frustration with the lack of clear guidelines, pointing out that the legal uncertainty has created a challenging environment for projects in the U.S.

The Path Forward for Crypto Regulation

Garlinghouse’s interview comes at a pivotal time for the crypto industry, as many are hopeful for clearer regulation and greater support from U.S. lawmakers. As Trump’s re-election campaign continues to gain momentum, the crypto community is keenly awaiting his potential policies on digital assets.

Should Trump win the presidency in 2024, Garlinghouse believes his administration could offer the clarity and support the crypto industry needs. Many in the space hope that Trump’s stance will lead to clearer, fairer regulations, providing a path for massive growth and innovation in the sector.

“After Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, the crypto industry could finally see the kind of regulatory clarity it has been yearning for,” Garlinghouse said, expressing optimism about the future of digital assets under new leadership.