XRP Community is the best, but... Ripple CEO warns against XRP maximalists

▲ XRP/AI-generated image

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse assessed that the cohesion of the XRP community is stronger than ever, but warned that the tribalism that prioritizes only a specific blockchain hinders industry growth. He also emphasized that Ripple's acquisitions and product expansions are not merely aimed at increasing market speculation but are strategies to enhance the actual utility of XRP.

Bitcoinist reported on May 6 that Garlinghouse, in an interview with CoinDesk at Consensus 2026, evaluated the XRP community as one of the most tenacious and powerful forces in the virtual asset industry. Garlinghouse stated that the virtual asset industry has moved past the era when it was considered a reputational risk by traditional finance and has entered a stage of closer integration with the institutional sector.

Garlinghouse recalled an experience meeting a central bank official in Davos, saying, “When I first went to Davos, I remember meeting a central bank official from another country. He had met him before. He said, ‘I’m surprised you’re here. Virtual assets are still a bad word here.’ That was about seven years ago.”

Garlinghouse credited the XRP community as the key driving force that endured regulatory conflicts, market downturns, and long product development cycles. He said, “Speaking of the XRP Army, one of the greatest things about virtual assets in general is the community behind it. These are people who see an opportunity to re-architect financial infrastructure using technology that lowers costs and increases speed. This part is like a liberation. The XRP Army has been an incredibly strong group of supporters.”

Garlinghouse also mentioned his recent experience attending XRP Las Vegas. He said, “That community was the most vibrant and active it has ever been. It was truly spectacular.” Bitcoinist reported that this statement shows that the activity of XRP supporters has not weakened despite regulations and market volatility.

However, Garlinghouse pointed out that the power of the community and tribalism should be distinguished. He said, “I have told that community and the entire virtual asset community that tribalism is bad for our industry. I have never been an XRP maxi. People out there think it will not be a single-chain world. It will be a multi-chain world.”

Garlinghouse emphasized that while Ripple has played a significant supporting role in the XRP ecosystem, it does not control XRP. He explained, “Ripple has always been the most interested supporter of the XRP ecosystem. We hold a lot of XRP, but that does not give us control over XRP. The way that structure works is not proof-of-stake.”

Ripple’s recent acquisition strategy is also linked to expanding XRP utility. Garlinghouse explained that transactions, including the entry into prime brokerage through Hidden Road, are measures to make it easier to use XRP as collateral across institutional platforms. He said, “Every acquisition we’ve made, everything we’re building, is focused on how we accelerate the adoption, utility, liquidity, and trust of XRP.”

Garlinghouse also touched upon the use of artificial intelligence. He stated that Ripple uses AI across finance, marketing, product targeting, and engineering, but not as a justification for reducing staff. He said, “About 75% of our core code writing is now either aided by AI in some way or written by AI.”

On the regulatory front, he remained optimistic that a U.S. virtual asset bill could advance before the midterm elections. Garlinghouse mentioned recent Senate movements and the possibility of a bill review in May, anticipating that if the bill passes committee, it is likely to receive bipartisan support on the Senate floor. Bitcoinist summarized Garlinghouse’s remarks as an interview that simultaneously revealed the cohesion of the XRP community, a multi-chain industry perspective, and a strategy for expanding institutional utility.

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