Ripple CEO signals a seismic shift in U.S. sentiment towards cryptocurrencies
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized on the social media platform X on August 22 that discussions at the second annual Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, organized by SALT and Kraken, reflect a noticeable change in tone regarding digital assets compared to last year. He described the difference in stage speeches and private discussions as 'dramatic and very palpable.'
Garlinghouse emphasized how surprising it was to see American officials moving towards embracing blockchain technology. He stated:
I don't think many of us expected to see several governors of the Federal Reserve publicly supporting crypto technologies... truly, a new dawn.
His remark was in response to comments from Ripple's Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, who had previously shared details about his participation in policy-focused panels at the same event.
Alderoty wrote that he was glad to be here at the SALT conference alongside Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Blockchain Association, Mysten Labs, and CNBC, discussing 'this post-GENIUS Act world, the most important principles of any market structure bill, and what it means to have a coordinated cryptocurrency regulatory strategy between the legislative and executive branches.' He characterized the meeting as 'just a group of political wonks, perhaps in one of the most beautiful places for an event!' His remarks highlighted the ongoing focus on how U.S. lawmakers and the executive branch can coordinate their efforts in developing a unified regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies.
The comments indicate a shift in how traditional policymakers engage with the sector, moving from skepticism to a more open acknowledgment of its potential. Supporters see this development as an important step in aligning regulation with innovation, while critics argue that issues like market volatility and consumer protection remain unresolved.