Ripple CEO Says Crypto Will Win Even Without Clarity Act

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says the cryptocurrency industry will continue to grow even if the closely watched Clarity Act fails to advance through the U.S. Congress.

Speaking at a digital asset event in Kansas City on Tuesday, Garlinghouse reaffirmed his support for the crypto market structure legislation but argued that the industry's future does not depend on a single bill.

“When you have a technology that’s better, faster, stronger… that usually wins,” Garlinghouse said.

The Ripple chief argued that traditional financial infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with technological innovation. He also questioned why the United States would risk losing its position as a global crypto leader while other jurisdictions move forward with clearer digital asset regulations.

Garlinghouse’s remarks come as the Clarity Act faces a critical procedural vote in the U.S. Senate. He previously urged lawmakers to support advancing the legislation, warning against allowing the pursuit of a perfect regulatory framework to derail a workable compromise.

The bill faces a difficult path because supporters need 60 Senate votes to move it forward. Republicans control 53 seats, meaning they need backing from at least seven Democrats or independents.

Republicans released revised legislation ahead of Tuesday’s vote, saying the latest version included 126 substantive changes requested by Democrats. However, several Democratic senators have indicated that the revisions still fall short of what they want.

The Senate is scheduled to vote at 2:15 p.m. ET on whether to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed with the Clarity Act.

A failed procedural vote would not automatically kill the crypto bill, but the approaching midterm election calendar could make it increasingly difficult for Congress to pass major legislation.

Despite the uncertainty, Garlinghouse remains confident about cryptocurrency’s long-term prospects. His argument is that blockchain and digital asset technology can continue gaining adoption because of its potential advantages over legacy financial systems, regardless of whether Congress approves the Clarity Act this year.