Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said banks do not need to wait on the sidelines while the U.S. Clarity Act is still being debated. According to his remarks, financial institutions can continue exploring XRP-related partnerships now, as long as negotiations are conducted in good faith. He framed the opportunity as still being “wide open” for banks interested in working with Ripple.
Garlinghouse argued that the industry would benefit more from clear and workable rules than from prolonged regulatory ambiguity. He cited an estimated 80% chance of passage by the end of April, signaling that the current legislative window could be an important period for banks, crypto firms, and policymakers to shape how the framework is implemented. Ripple has spent recent weeks in discussions with groups including the American Bankers Association as lawmakers review the proposal.
Practical engagement over waiting for perfection
A central message from Garlinghouse was that perfection should not stand in the way of progress. In practical terms, that means Ripple supports continued engagement with banks even before every legislative detail is finalized. The company appears focused on helping build a regulatory structure that institutions can actually use once the rules are clarified.
His comments suggest Ripple sees room for financial institutions to keep evaluating payments, settlement, and other XRP-linked business opportunities under an evolving policy backdrop. Rather than pausing activity entirely, the company is encouraging a pragmatic approach that balances compliance concerns with forward planning.
Crypto industry remains divided on legislative details
Still, the broader crypto sector is far from unified on the current direction of U.S. legislation. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong criticized the Senate draft, especially provisions tied to stablecoin yield and rewards restrictions. He argued those measures could curb innovation and even leave the market with a framework worse than the present environment, calling for revisions before such a version moves forward.
That contrast highlights a broader split in crypto leadership. One camp favors compromise in exchange for long-awaited regulatory clarity, while the other warns that overly restrictive terms could damage product development and market competitiveness. Lawmakers, Ripple, Coinbase, and banking representatives remain in discussions as they try to resolve the most contentious issues.
If the Clarity Act progresses, it could define clearer oversight for digital assets, including XRP and stablecoins, and shape how U.S. financial institutions approach the sector. Garlinghouse’s latest comments reinforce Ripple’s view that institutional adoption does not need to be postponed indefinitely, and that regulatory certainty could become the key catalyst for broader bank participation.