Ripple CEO Meets Trump Over Dinner: "Strong Start to 2025"

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has revealed that he dined with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ripple's Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, signaling optimism for 2025.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on January 8, Garlinghouse shared, "Had a fantastic dinner with Donald Trump and Stuart Alderoty. A strong start to 2025." Ripple, while cautioning against partisan approaches to innovation, has actively contributed to political action committees (PACs) like FairShake, advocating for pro-crypto candidates and favorable regulatory environments.

Ripple’s Optimism Under a Pro-Crypto Administration

Ripple has faced intense regulatory pressure under the Biden administration but is now looking forward to a brighter future under Trump’s leadership. The president-elect's pro-crypto stance and the incoming administration’s potential to reshape regulations have boosted optimism within the industry.

Previously, Garlinghouse highlighted Trump’s election as a turning point, stating, “2024 marks the beginning of the Trump bull market.” He expressed hope for resolving Ripple’s clashes with the SEC, which had stalled U.S. business opportunities for the company.

Garlinghouse noted that while Ripple primarily expanded its hiring outside the U.S. over the past four years, 75% of its current recruitment now focuses on domestic talent. Additionally, he revealed that Ripple has closed more U.S.-based deals in the six weeks following the election than in the prior six months.

Trump’s Pro-Crypto Moves

Since his election, Trump has been forming a cabinet with pro-crypto figures and strengthening ties with industry leaders. Earlier this month, Trump’s son Eric Trump and MicroStrategy co-founder Michael Saylor, one of the largest Bitcoin holders, met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to share their enthusiasm for Bitcoin.

Last year, Trump voiced support for the Bitcoin mining industry during a meeting with mining executives. He pledged to become an advocate for the sector from the White House and later expressed on social media, “I hope all remaining Bitcoin will be mined in the U.S.”

Ripple and XRP: Investor Optimism

Trump’s alignment with the crypto sector has sparked significant excitement among investors, particularly XRP supporters. On social media, users expressed confidence that Trump’s presidency would lead to a rally in XRP prices.

Comments included predictions such as, "XRP will soar after Trump takes office," and "2025 will be a monumental year for XRP." Some users speculated on a strengthened partnership between Ripple and the U.S. government, with one enthusiast declaring, "The Trump bull market has begun, and XRP hitting $10 is inevitable."

As Trump’s pro-crypto administration takes shape, the meeting between Ripple’s leadership and Trump underscores growing synergies between the private and public sectors in advancing blockchain innovation. For XRP holders, 2025 may indeed hold transformative potential.