XRP executive Brad Garlinghouse has expressed his disappointment after a scheduled meeting with Senator Cynthia Lummis, a known supporter of cryptocurrencies, fell through without explanation. The canceled engagement has sparked debate across the digital asset sector, especially regarding the ongoing efforts to advance crypto regulation in the United States.
Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple and a vocal advocate for clear regulatory frameworks around digital assets like XRP, visited Washington, D.C. in mid-May 2025 to engage with lawmakers. He was particularly focused on promoting a balanced approach to regulating stablecoins and digital market structures. However, he publicly disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that Senator Lummis canceled the planned talk and failed to suggest a future meeting time.
This decision left many within the XRP community puzzled, especially considering Senator Lummis’ prominent role as Chair of the Senate’s Digital Assets Subcommittee. In a follow-up message, Garlinghouse extended an open invitation to Senator Lummis for a public conversation — suggesting a discussion either via an X Space or on stage at industry events — affirming his continued commitment to supporting policies aimed at positioning the U.S. as a global hub for crypto innovation, a goal he believes aligns with the Trump administration’s ambitions.
The abrupt snub has ignited speculation throughout the crypto ecosystem. Some commentators criticized Garlinghouse’s decision to go public, suggesting it might harm professional decorum. A notable example is ChainLinkGod, a blockchain opinion influencer, who found the airing of grievances unproductive. Others hinted at possible bias in Lummis’ decision.
Among the more critical voices was Pierre Rochard, head of the Bitcoin Bond Company, who theorized that Lummis’ disinterest may have stemmed from Garlinghouse’s previous endorsements of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Within Bitcoin-centric circles, CBDCs are often viewed as contrary to crypto’s decentralized ethos. Rochard remarked, “You ruined your reputation and lost all credibility by pushing for CBDCs and against Bitcoin. Nobody takes you seriously anymore.”
Adding fuel to the controversy is the observation from Cowboy Crypto, a known XRP supporter, who pointed out personal connections between Senator Lummis and the Bitcoin community. Specifically, Lummis’ son-in-law, Will Cole, is a Bitcoin advocate and executive at payment company Zaprite, who has mocked Ripple publicly in the past. The account also flagged Senator Lummis’ financial interests in prominent venture capital firm a16z, which has historically leaned toward Bitcoin and Ethereum projects.
Garlinghouse acknowledged the potential implications of this relationship, calling it “certainly enlightening,” and voiced concern over the lack of engagement. According to him, this missed meeting marked over six years of attempts to successfully connect with the senator. He also questioned whether the decision was personally made by Lummis or influenced by staff and advisors, alluding to the possibility of internal gatekeeping at play.
This episode highlights the persistent friction between Ripple’s advocacy for a broader crypto regulatory vision and certain entrenched segments of the Bitcoin arena. While Ripple and the XRP Ledger emphasize low-cost, rapid cross-border payments, traditional Bitcoin aficionados often resist centralized initiatives such as CBDCs or institutional ties advanced by Ripple.
As the U.S. explores digital asset legislation and a potential regulatory path for stablecoins, these internal divides within the broader crypto movement may influence which technologies and platforms gain the most political momentum. Although pro-crypto lawmakers like Lummis are championed for forwarding the industry’s cause, their affiliations or ideological leanings could still create fractures, especially in areas where protocols like XRP seek inclusion.
Despite the setback, Garlinghouse remains determined to advocate for XRP and the Ripple ecosystem. His outreach — both in private and public forums — reflects a broader urgency among industry leaders to secure firm support from U.S. policymakers as global competitors move quickly to establish their dominance in fintech and blockchain innovation.
