Ripple CEO Praises Vance's Critique of SEC

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has admired Donald Trump's running mate and U.S. Senator James David Vance. Vance called out SEC Chair Gary Gensler's biased approach to crypto regulation.

Recently, crypto community members resurfaced a video showing Vance criticizing Gensler as the worst person to oversee the crypto industry.

The clip was recorded at the Remedy Fest conference on February 27. It has gained traction within the crypto community since presidential candidate Donald Trump chose Vance as his running mate. The community celebrates this choice as they see pro-crypto politicians ascending to the presidency.

In the clip, Vance lamented that Gensler moves in the opposite direction regarding regulation. He attributed this to Gensler's tendency to inject politics into the securities business in the U.S.

Specifically, the pro-crypto senator pointed out that the SEC regulates crypto based on arbitrary criteria. He claimed that if a crypto token has utility, the SEC wants to ban it, but they don't seem to care if it lacks utility.

Utility Tokens Under Fire

This view is bolstered by utility tokens like XRP, Cardano, and Solana, which have faced SEC lawsuits in the past few years. In contrast, billion-dollar valued meme coins like Dogecoin have been untouched.

Vance argued that this approach is misguided, stating that investor protection should focus more on crypto assets that lack utility. He noted that if a token has genuine utility, it should be regulated and monitored to ensure consumer safety. However, he warned against simply hunting them and forcing them out of business.

"If a token has genuine utility, it should be regulated and monitored to ensure consumer safety."

According to the senator, the SEC's approach could have unintended consequences on innovation. He mentioned that many new social media platforms emerging in 2024 rely on blockchain technology, including high-utility tokens, for verification purposes. Vance noted that venture capitalists are excited about these companies leveraging blockchain to drive innovation in 21st-century communications.

Impacts on Innovation

However, if the SEC continues to restrict high-utility tokens, it will become increasingly difficult for these new companies to challenge the existing social media incumbents. Vance believes this would be a significant mistake.

Vance's commentary is now widely shared in the crypto community, attracting the attention of Ripple's CEO. Commenting on it, Garlinghouse expressed admiration and called for more elected officials to follow his lead.

According to Garlinghouse, Vance is demonstrating a forward-thinking approach by recognizing the potential of blockchain technology to further "American exceptionalism" rather than allowing unelected officials to stifle innovation.

Interestingly, Vance's stance on cryptocurrencies has always been favorable. In February 2022, the senator condemned the power granted to banks to freeze accounts without a court order under the Emergencies Act in Canada. He says legislations like this are why crypto is "taking off."