Ripple CEO Urges Resilience on Crypto Bill: ‘We’re Close to Achieving Regulatory Clarity’

Ripple CEO Urges Persistence on Crypto Bill: "We’re So Close We Can’t Give Up Now"

By Parshwa Turakhiya | January 23, 2026

In the ongoing saga of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse shared his perspective on the stalled CLARITY Act, a proposed bill designed to bring regulatory clarity to the crypto industry. Speaking publicly on Thursday, Garlinghouse emphasized the critical importance of continuing efforts to pass the legislation despite recent setbacks, including Coinbase Global Inc.’s withdrawal of support.

A Step Forward Despite Imperfections

Garlinghouse referred to the CLARITY Act as a “massive step forward” for the crypto industry, acknowledging that, though the bill is not flawless, it represents much-needed progress compared to the prevailing uncertainty and regulatory disarray. Drawing from Ripple’s own experience, the CEO highlighted Ripple’s five-year legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over its XRP token as evidence of the dangers of regulatory ambiguity.

“Clarity is always better than chaos,” Garlinghouse stated, underscoring the disruption that the lack of clear rules has caused across the crypto sector. He also cautioned against striving for “perfection” in the legislation, warning that “perfection is the enemy of good.” The CEO advocated for viewing the CLARITY Act as a foundation that can be improved progressively, rather than a final, flawless solution.

Industry Support and Challenges

The CLARITY Act aims to define how digital assets like cryptocurrencies would be regulated under U.S. law, seeking to resolve long-standing questions about which tokens qualify as securities and how exchanges and other crypto businesses should be governed. The bill’s passage has encountered hurdles, most notably when Coinbase, one of the industry’s largest players and an early supporter, decided to pull its backing in recent weeks, citing concerns over certain provisions.

Nevertheless, Garlinghouse urged the crypto community, lawmakers, and stakeholders to maintain momentum. “We’re so close, we can’t give up now,” he insisted, framing the bill’s progress as a rare opportunity for the industry to finally gain legislative clarity and stability.

A Path Forward for Crypto Regulation?

Ripple’s CEO also expressed optimism about the potential for further legislative refinement after the initial passage of the CLARITY Act. The industry can build on the groundwork laid by the bill and address its deficiencies through amendments and additional regulation over time. In the interim, Garlinghouse believes that having some federal guidelines is preferable to the current patchwork of enforcement actions and uncertainty that have hindered innovation and investment.

The crypto market has closely watched developments around the CLARITY Act, recognizing regulatory clarity as a key factor for sustained growth. Garlinghouse’s stance highlights the tension between achieving comprehensive, perfect legislation and the practical need for stable rules to govern an evolving sector.

As talks around the bill continue, the crypto community and lawmakers alike face the challenge of balancing innovation, consumer protection, and legal clarity. For now, Garlinghouse’s message is clear: perseverance is essential, and the industry must rally behind efforts to secure meaningful regulation that will shape the future of cryptocurrency in the United States.

Stay tuned for further updates on cryptocurrency regulation and market developments.