Brad Garlinghouse clarifies the true nature of XRP and its independence from Ripple

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, recently reiterated his stance on one of the most entrenched misconceptions in the crypto industry: the belief that Ripple controls XRP. At a fintech conference held in Washington, he clearly emphasized that XRP is an open-source and fully decentralized project, with no single leader or corporate entity directing it.

Does Ripple Really Control XRP? The Clear Answer

Garlinghouse directly addressed the question many investors and developers ask: “Who is the CEO of XRP?” His response was firm and educational. While Ripple has a CEO — himself — XRP is a public technology built collaboratively by hundreds of independent developers and companies around the world.

“People say things like, ‘XRP has a CEO.’ And I ask — who would that be?” the executive pointed out. He continued explaining that Ripple has a specific role: it is a company that creates tools and solutions, but it is neither the owner nor the controller of the XRP protocol or its development decisions.

This distinction is fundamental to understanding the ecosystem. Ripple operates as a facilitator and innovator within the XRP space, but not as its ruler or central authority. This separation safeguards the protocol’s decentralized integrity.

The $150 Million Defense: A Precedent for the Entire Industry

Garlinghouse reminded the audience of the significant financial commitment Ripple has made to defend XRP’s legal position. The company has invested over $150 million in its battle against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to gain regulatory clarity and establish that XRP should not be classified as a security.

However, according to Garlinghouse, this battle went beyond Ripple’s corporate interests. It was about setting a legal precedent for the entire crypto industry: “That fight wasn’t just about Ripple. It was about ensuring that every crypto innovator can build without fear of vague or outdated regulations.”

The CEO emphasized that Ripple continues investing in blockchain innovation and supporting an ecosystem where digital assets can thrive collaboratively, not under centralized control. This philosophy reflects the company’s commitment to true decentralization, not merely conceptual.

Distributed Governance: How XRPL Operates Without Central Authority

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) functions under a genuinely decentralized governance model that places decision-making power in the hands of the network, not a single entity. Significant network changes require approval from the majority of independent validators running the protocol.

A particularly revealing detail is that there have been instances where the validator community approved proposals that Ripple did not endorse, demonstrating that the company has no veto power or de facto control over the protocol. This independent structure has made XRP one of the most authentically decentralized blockchain networks, maintaining a rare balance between efficiency, security, and true distribution of power.

Brad Garlinghouse’s Vision for the Future of Cryptocurrencies

With his clearly defined role and technology guided by genuine community consensus, XRP continues to evolve as an independent digital infrastructure for global payments, banking services, and Web3 innovation.

Brad Garlinghouse summarized Ripple’s mission succinctly: “Our goal was never to control XRP. Our goal is to help people understand what a truly open blockchain can achieve.”

This approach contrasts with many other crypto projects where founding entities retain significant control. For Garlinghouse and Ripple, the true vision is to create tools and infrastructure that enable others to build, innovate, and thrive in a decentralized and transparent environment.

Important Notice: The information presented in this article is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. It does not constitute investment advice of any kind. Investing in cryptocurrencies involves substantial risks and can result in significant financial losses.