CEO Brad Garlinghouse Considers IPO Path, says ‘SEC is Not our Friend’

At the recent Swell conference, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse addressed the possibility of the company going public. When asked about a potential IPO in light of regulatory clarity expected next year, he clarified, “An IPO has not been 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 seek to go public primarily to raise capital. In contrast, Ripple has maintained a strong financial position, allowing it to invest in various projects and make acquisitions without the immediate need for public funding. “We have a hostile SEC and a company that doesn’t need to raise capital,” he said, explaining why an IPO is not at the forefront of Ripple’s agenda.

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

The Crypto Market Outlook for 2025

When discussing the broader crypto market as it heads into 2025, Garlinghouse expressed positivity despite the challenges the industry has faced.

Garlinghouse pointed out that the U.S. government’s previously hostile stance towards crypto is beginning to shift, especially with major players like BlackRock entering the space. He explained the importance of this development, as it indicates increasing institutional interest in blockchain technology and its potential applications.

While acknowledging the difficulty of making accurate predictions about crypto prices, Garlinghouse remains optimistic about the next year or two, suggesting that positive changes may occur sooner rather than later.