Ripple CEO signals neutrality on potential IPO

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has signaled a shift in the company’s stance regarding a potential initial public offering (IPO). Speaking at the 2026 Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, Garlinghouse noted that while the company has been “very happily private for a long time,” it is now “more neutral” on the prospect of going public.

This change follows years of speculation and legal hurdles. The company’s long-running legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over XRP sales previously served as a primary obstacle to a U.S. listing. Garlinghouse emphasized that regulatory clarity is essential for such a move, noting that the cost of legal uncertainty was significant, with Ripple spending approximately $150 million fighting the SEC.

Garlinghouse also addressed the need for clearer cryptocurrency rules during a CFTC Innovation Advisory Committee meeting. He stated that the current regulatory status quo is insufficient for innovation and consumers, pointing out that roughly 80% of Ripple’s hiring during its four-year legal dispute occurred outside the United States due to domestic uncertainty.