U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse to the White House on Wednesday.
This was during Trump’s gathering with crypto industry leaders to discuss the future of digital assets and financial markets. Garlinghouse was among the executives Trump specifically acknowledged in remarks.
Trump Highlights Crypto Leadership
Trump described the gathering as a meeting of a “who’s who” in finance, crypto and technology. He stressed his administration’s efforts to position the United States as a global leader in crypto and blockchain-based financial markets.
Alongside Ripple CEO, the meeting included Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov, and Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi. BitGo executives, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman, and other major industry figures were also present.
Trump used the event to reiterate his administration’s support for crypto. Specifically, he said the United States had “ended the war on crypto” and was working to modernize financial rules so markets could incorporate blockchain technology.
He also pointed to the administration’s Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, Digital Asset Stockpile and stablecoin legislation as key components of its digital-asset agenda.
Garlinghouse: Crypto Is No Longer a Fringe Industry
After the meeting, Garlinghouse took to X to highlight the gathering’s significance. “Great to be back at the White House today,” he wrote, while also citing SEC Chairman Paul Atkins and CFTC Chairman Michael Selig.
Garlinghouse pointed to the increasing number of Americans holding digital assets, saying 67 million Americans now own crypto, representing nearly one in four people in the country.
“Crypto isn’t a fringe industry. And Washington, D.C., knows the crypto voter is alive and well,” Garlinghouse added.
He also praised Trump’s approach to the industry, saying the president’s “commitment to innovation and leadership around digital assets in the US has been profound.”
Great to be back at the White House today alongside @realDonaldTrump, @SECPaulSAtkins, @ChairmanSelig and leaders across the crypto industry.
The big picture has never been clearer: 67 million Americans hold crypto today (that’s nearly 1 in 4!). Crypto isn't a fringe industry.… pic.twitter.com/fsyX1ZwG2a
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) August 20, 2026
Ripple and Trump Have Met Before
Wednesday’s meeting is not the first time Garlinghouse has met Trump at the White House. In January 2025, shortly before Trump’s inauguration, Garlinghouse and Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty met with Trump at the White House.
A few days later, Garlinghouse also met with Vice President JD Vance during events around Trump’s inauguration. He attended the first Crypto Ball, dinners with Trump and Vance, and a session at the Capitol.
Garlinghouse said these events showed growing optimism about crypto and blockchain in the U.S., especially after years of regulatory uncertainty.
The latest meeting further highlights Ripple’s presence among major crypto companies engaging directly with the U.S. administration as Washington continues developing its regulatory framework for digital assets.
For XRP holders, Garlinghouse’s participation is notable as Ripple continues expanding its payments and digital asset infrastructure while seeking a clearer regulatory environment for the crypto industry in the United States.
