Ripple CEO Provides New Timeline for CLARITY Act to Pass

The Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has revised his timeline for the passing of the CLARITY Act due to recent developments.

Brad Garlinghouse recently spoke on FOX Business with host Maria Bartiromo. During the interview, he discussed the current state of crypto regulation in the United States and updated his timeline for the passing of the CLARITY Act to the end of May 2026.

Key Points

• Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse pushed back his prediction for the CLARITY Act from the end of April to the end of May.
• Garlinghouse said unresolved issues, especially around crypto rewards, are slowing progress, but compromise is likely.
• He stated that clear regulation would ease concerns around future regulators like Gary Gensler and encourage major banks to engage more with crypto.
• Ripple has already seen strong growth, increasing headcount by 50% and completing two major acquisitions.
• Garlinghouse revealed that this year, the company will focus on integrating and strengthening what it has already built.

Garlinghouse Revises Timeline for CLARITY Act

During the segment, Bartiromo emphasized the need for clear laws from Congress. She called attention to the Genius Act, which is already in place, and said it should not be reopened. She then turned to the CLARITY Act, asking how important both laws are and what they could mean for Ripple and the broader crypto industry.

Garlinghouse explained that he had earlier expected the CLARITY Act to be signed by the end of April. However, he now sees that the timeline has changed slightly. He said a more realistic expectation would be the end of May, adding about 30 extra days. Even with this delay, he made it clear that discussions are still ongoing and that progress is being made.

Garlinghouse noted that one of the main sticking points in the discussions is how rewards in the crypto space should be handled. While he said Ripple is not directly affected by that issue, he emphasized that resolving it is important for the industry as a whole.

Still Optimistic

He warned that without clear rules, the United States risks losing businesses and investment to other countries. In his view, passing the CLARITY Act would help keep innovation and capital within the country and make the U.S. more competitive globally.

Garlinghouse also shared that he recently attended a dinner in Washington, D.C., where he spoke with people who understand how laws are made. 

He called the process messy and sometimes frustrating, but said those conversations gave him more confidence that the bill would eventually pass. He added that when negotiations become most difficult, it often means a deal is getting closer because people start to compromise.

The Ripple CEO also called attention to strong support from the current White House, saying that leadership there is helping move things forward. Overall, he remains confident that the CLARITY Act will pass, even if it takes a bit longer than first expected.

What CLARITY Means for Ripple and Banks

When Bartiromo asked what would change for Ripple once the law is passed, Garlinghouse said it would not have a major direct effect on the company’s day-to-day business. Instead, the bigger impact would be on banks, especially in the United States.

He explained that many banks have been cautious about getting involved in crypto because of unclear rules and the fear that future regulators, like Gary Gensler, could change the direction again. Clear laws would remove that uncertainty and make banks more comfortable entering the space.

Garlinghouse added that banks already recognize Ripple’s legal progress, including its win confirming that XRP is not a security. He also mentioned another positive development from the previous week. Still, he believes that putting clear rules into law would push even more large financial institutions in the U.S. and around the world to get involved.

Ripple’s Focus for 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Garlinghouse said Ripple plans to focus more on strengthening what it has already built instead of expanding. He noted that the company completed two major acquisitions last year and increased its workforce by 50%, which means there is now a need to fully integrate those changes.

At the same time, Ripple will continue to look for new investment opportunities. Garlinghouse said the company has already invested over $1 billion in the past year and will keep exploring areas where it can grow further.

He called Ripple Prime a major focus, explaining that the company wants to use its stronger balance sheet to grow its prime brokerage business. He also pointed to Ripple Treasury, where demand from companies is rising quickly.

Garlinghouse said the prime brokerage unit has already tripled its revenue run rate. He explained that this growth is partly because Ripple now has more financial strength, which allows it to work with bigger partners. In the past, some large institutions were hesitant to deal with Hidden Road when it was smaller. 

Now, under Ripple Prime, those same institutions feel more confident and are more willing to do business, helping Ripple expand its reach.