Ripple CEO Directly Criticizes Gensler, Praises Trump Appointee... "SEC Declared War on Technology"

▲ Brad Garlinghouse (Ripple), XRP, Cryptocurrency Regulation, Virtual Assets / ChatGPT Generated Image

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse strongly criticized the former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regime under Gary Gensler, while giving a positive evaluation of current SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, who was appointed by the Donald Trump administration.

According to Benzinga on the 21st (local time), Garlinghouse sharply criticized the SEC's regulatory stance during Gensler's tenure via X (formerly Twitter), stating that it was “tantamount to declaring war on technology.” He claimed that the regulatory approach at the time was “close to an abuse of power,” and that the court also partially acknowledged this judgment.

Garlinghouse specifically pointed out that under Gensler's leadership, the SEC pursued enforcement-centric policies without clear regulatory standards, increasing uncertainty across the cryptocurrency industry. Indeed, during Gensler's tenure, the SEC engaged in lawsuits and regulatory actions against numerous crypto companies, creating conflict with the market.

In contrast, Garlinghouse drew a stark contrast by describing Commissioner Atkins, appointed by Trump, as “a breath of fresh air.” He emphasized that Atkins is focused on the essential goals of investor protection and fostering innovation.

Atkins, who became the head of the SEC in 2025 through Trump's nomination, is regarded as having a relatively favorable stance towards the cryptocurrency industry. Analysis suggests that since his inauguration, the SEC has been attempting to shift away from its previous tough regulatory stance towards clearer standards and innovation-friendly policies.

These remarks are interpreted as a sign that political and policy conflicts surrounding the direction of cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S. are still ongoing. Industry analysis suggests that given the significant impact of changes in the regulatory environment on the overall market, attention should be paid to the SEC's future policy direction and the Trump administration's digital asset strategy.

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