CEO Brad Garlinghouse Considers IPO Path, Says ‘SEC Is Not Our Friend’

At the recent Swell conference, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hinted at the possibility of the company going public. Asked about the possibility of an IPO in light of the expected regulatory clarity next year, he said, “IPO is not a high priority for us. Part of that is because the SEC is not our friend.

In an interview with Thinking Crypto, he said that most companies want to go public primarily to raise capital. In contrast, Ripple has maintained a strong financial position that allows it to invest in various projects and make acquisitions without the need for public funding. “We have a hostile SEC and we have a company that doesn't need to raise capital,” he said, explaining that an IPO is not at the top of Ripple's agenda.

Garlinghouse recognizes the importance of ensuring liquidity to shareholders and maintaining an appropriate company valuation. However, he reiterated that prioritizing an IPO is not urgent, especially given the time-consuming process. “Even when I think about it, usually when a company goes public, it still takes twelve months,” he said, adding that regulatory conditions must first improve.

Crypto market outlook for 2025

Discussing the broader crypto market heading into 2025, Garlinghouse expressed optimism despite the challenges facing the industry.

Garlinghouse noted that the US government's previously hostile stance on crypto is starting to change, especially as major players like BlackRock enter the space. He explained the importance of this development as it shows the growing institutional interest in blockchain technology and its potential benefits.

While Garlinghouse acknowledges the difficulty of making accurate predictions about crypto prices, he is optimistic about the next year or two, suggesting that positive changes could happen sooner rather than later.