Ripple CEO Frustrated After Key Crypto Meeting Cancelled

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed his frustration after a meeting with pro-crypto US Senator Cynthia Lummis, who chairs the Senate’s Digital Assets Subcommittee, was canceled. Garlinghouse was in Washington, D.C., for discussions with lawmakers to promote reasonable regulations for stablecoins and crypto market structure. However, Senator Lummis canceled the meeting without offering a chance to reschedule.

Garlinghouse acknowledged Lummis' generally pro-crypto stance but encouraged her to revisit her decision. He invited her to join him on an X Space anytime or a live conversation onstage at one of the many events they cross paths at to talk about how to make the US the crypto capital of the world. He stated that he will continue to do everything possible to support that goal.

The cancellation of the meeting has stirred speculation within the crypto community. Some critics saw Garlinghouse’s public complaint as unnecessary, while others accused Senator Lummis of favoritism toward Bitcoin. Pierre Rochard, CEO of Bitcoin Bond Company, suggested that Lummis may have declined the meeting due to Garlinghouse’s backing of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), which many Bitcoin advocates oppose. He said, “You ruined your reputation and lost all credibility by pushing for CBDCs and against Bitcoin. Nobody takes you seriously anymore.”

Meanwhile, XRP community members also raised concerns about a possible personal conflict of interest. An account named Cowboy Crypto pointed out that Lummis’ son-in-law, Will Cole, is a Bitcoin advocate who has previously mocked Ripple. Cole, who works for Bitcoin payments firm Zaprite, reposted content ridiculing Garlinghouse. The account also highlighted Lummis’ financial ties to venture firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and her family’s deep Bitcoin ties.

In response, Garlinghouse acknowledged the information, saying it is “certainly enlightening that Will Cole is related to Sen Lummis.” However, he said his inability to meet with the lawmaker after six years of trying was troubling. Considering this, he questioned whether the decision to deny came directly from Senator Lummis or her staff.