Ripple Hopes New SEC Chair Brings Crypto Clarity

Ripple Labs, a blockchain payments firm, has expressed cautious optimism about the potential regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies under the leadership of Paul Atkins, the potential next chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Stuart Alderoty, the chief legal officer at Ripple, discussed this possibility during a recent X Spaces discussion for XRP Community Day 2025.

Alderoty expressed hope that the SEC, under Atkins, would withdraw civil suits against crypto firms that do not involve fraud, particularly those based mainly on registration issues. Ripple remains embroiled in an SEC lawsuit, with both parties having filed appeals after a judge issued a liability ruling in 2024. Alderoty acknowledged that the process could take time but remained optimistic that the case could be voluntarily withdrawn during 2025.

Ripple's optimism extends beyond the potential changes at the SEC. Alderoty cited the Trump administration's approach to crypto, including a presidential executive order to establish a working group studying digital asset regulation and the SEC launching a crypto task force, as positive developments. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse had previously claimed that 75% of the firm's job openings would be based in the US as a direct result of the 2024 election.

However, Alderoty acknowledged that Atkins' confirmation by the Senate is not guaranteed, given the Republican-run Congress and the potential influence of lawmakers Ripple may have helped elect with $45 million in contributions to the political action committee Fairshake. Despite this uncertainty, Alderoty remains hopeful that a pro-crypto Congress could move forward with a crypto market structure bill before the end of 2025.

Ripple's executives have also cultivated a close relationship with President Trump, dining with him at his Mar-a-Lago home and in Washington, DC. Alderoty personally donated more than $300,000 to fundraising and political action committees supporting Trump in the 2024 election, while the company contributed $5 million worth of XRP to Trump's presidential inaugural fund.

The crypto landscape is poised for significant shifts as Ripple Labs expresses optimism about regulatory changes under a potential new SEC chair, Paul Atkins. In a recent discussion, Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, highlighted the possibility that Atkins could alter the SEC's approach to