Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty recently had dinner with Donald Trump, stirring discussions within the crypto community as the SEC’s appeal deadline approaches on January 15, 2025. The value of Ripple’s XRP saw a notable surge after Trump’s victory in the November 2024 elections, with the price impact surpassing that of the partial legal win against the SEC in July 2024, when Judge Analisa Torres ruled XRP was not a security. The market boost is largely attributed to Trump’s pro-crypto stance.
The SEC is set to submit its appeal brief by mid-January, and the meeting between Ripple executives and Trump has fueled speculation that it could affect the outcome of the Ripple vs. SEC case.
Ripple CEO Meets Trump Over Dinner
In a post on X, Garlinghouse shared a photo of the dinner, captioning it, “Strong start to 2025!” Alderoty also reposted the image, humorously noting that the “beef bourguignon was really good.” The timing of this dinner suggests that Ripple’s leadership may be strategically positioning itself to secure a definitive victory against the SEC.
Looking ahead, Ripple aims to expand its operations within the U.S. market following a favorable ruling. Garlinghouse has frequently emphasized Trump’s influence on the crypto sector. In a recent post, he stated:
“2025 is here, and the Trump bull market is real. For Ripple, this is personal—Gensler’s SEC stifled our domestic growth for years. The current optimism is both palpable and justified.”
He also noted that 75% of Ripple’s job openings are now U.S.-based, and the company has signed more domestic deals since Trump’s election. The “Trump effect” is expected to continue shaping the crypto landscape, with Ripple’s XRP positioned to reap the greatest benefits.
