RippleCEOBradGarlinghouseofferedhismostpositivestatementsaboutDemocraticpresidentialcandidateKamalaHarristodateonWednesday,whileattemptingtotoehiscompany’sofficiallineofneutralityonthe2024U.S.presidentialelection.
DuringanonstageappearanceatD.C.FintechWeekthisafternoon,thecryptoexecutiveappearedtocomplimentwhathesawasthesophisticationofHarris’approachtodigitalassets,incontrastwiththestrategyofherelectionopponent,formerpresidentDonaldTrump.
“Obviously,Trumpcameoutearlyandveryaggressively…andsaidhe’sthecryptopresident,”Garlinghousesaid.“KamalaandTeamHarrishavebeenmorenuanced.”
TheRipplechiefwentontolaudHarrisforannouncinglastweekthatshewouldsupportacryptoregulatoryframeworkifelected,callingthestatement“mostconstructive.”
WhileGarlinghouseconcededthatVicePresidentHarrishasbeen“relativelyquiet”aboutcryptocomparedwithTrump,heframedtheDemocraticnomineeasa“pro-technology”leaderwithrootsinSiliconValley.
Thus,eventhoughtheRippleCEOinsistedthattheupcomingpresidentialelectionwillbethemostcrucialincrypto’shistory,hemaintainedthateitheraHarrisorTrumpvictorywouldspellgoodnewsfortheindustrycomparedtothecurrentregime.
“Ithinknomatterwhathappens,we’regoingtoseeareset,we’regoingtoseeforwardprogress,”Garlinghousesaid.“Nomatterwhathappens,we’regoingtoleavebehindafailedapproachfromtheBidenAdministration.”
Inrecentdays,Ripplehascomeunderincreasedscrutinywithintheindustryforitsleadership’spoliticalallegiances.OnMonday,onethecompany’sco-founders,ChrisLarsen,announcedthathepersonallydonatedanadditional$10millionworthofXRPtoaidHarris’campaign,afterdonating$1millioninAugust.XRPisacryptocurrencythatRipple’sfoundershelpedcreateandthatthecompanyutilizesinitsmoney-movingtools.
Someintheindustrycriticizedthedonations,givenTrump’smonthsofcampaigntrailappealstocryptoprojectsandholders.NicCarter,anemergingtech-focusedVCandaprominentvoiceonCryptoTwitter,lambastedLarsen’sfinancialbackingofHarrisas“completelybaffling.”
Isthissatire?Wtf?
—Stevosluck(@1song2more)October21,2024
ButGarlinghousequicklychimedintosupportthecontribution,emphasizingthatherespectedtherightofanyRippleemployeetosupport“whomevertheythinkisbesttoleadtheU.S.”
IrespectChris’(andeveryone’s!)righttosupportwhomevertheythinkisbesttoleadtheU.S.
Weneedtoimmediatelychangecoursefromthisadministration’smisguidedwaroncrypto.
RipplewillcontinuetoengagewithbothDemocratsandRepublicansinthefinaldaysof…
—BradGarlinghouse(@bgarlinghouse)October21,2024
TheRippleCEOmaintainedonWednesdaythathewouldnotendorseeitherpresidentialcandidatebeforeNovember.Butthepositionhe’sstakedoutforhimself,andforRipple,hasalreadymadeafewwaveswithintheindustry.
EditedbyAndrewHayward
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