Ripple’s Dinner with Trump: What’s Cooking in Crypto?
Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty were seen enjoying a meal with none other than President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. The news made waves across social media platforms after both executives shared a snapshot of the evening on X (formerly Twitter), which quickly gained traction.
A Toast to New Beginnings
Garlinghouse took to X to express his enthusiasm about the dinner, stating, “Great dinner last night with Donald Trump & Stuart Alderoty. Strong start to 2025!” Alderoty added a personal touch by commenting on the culinary experience: “…and to top it off, the beef bourguignon was really good.” While they didn’t delve into specifics regarding their conversation topics, speculation ran rampant within the crypto community. Many are curious if regulatory discussions or updates on Ripple’s ongoing legal tussle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) were part of their agenda.
As Trump prepares for his inauguration later this month, he has appointed Paul Atkins as head of the SEC—a move that has caught analysts’ attention given its potential implications for Ripple’s case against the agency. With an appeal deadline looming on January 15—just days before Trump’s swearing-in—there is growing anticipation about how new leadership might reshape regulatory strategies concerning cryptocurrencies.
Community Reactions: Cheers and Jeers
Despite limited details from Garlinghouse and Alderoty about what transpired during their dinner meeting, many in the crypto sphere have reacted positively. Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, congratulated Garlinghouse directly via social media: “Nicely done Brad.” This sentiment was echoed by various influencers who see promise in this high-profile interaction.
Moon Lambo (@MoonLamboio) chimed in enthusiastically on X: “If anyone thought Trump wasn’t serious about making crypto great again, you can put those fears TO BED!!! $XRP.” Pro-XRP attorney Bill Morgan expressed his approval as well while Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) rallied supporters with a spirited call to action: “Make crypto great again! LOCK IN! #XRPARMY.”
However, not all responses were glowing; some skeptics raised eyebrows over potential costs associated with such meetings. One user questioned whether dining with Trump came at an exorbitant price tag—rumored to be upwards of $100k per seat—which sparked debate among followers regarding transparency and ethics.
Optimism Amid Uncertainty
Despite mixed reactions from observers outside Ripple’s inner circle, XRP holders seem largely optimistic that this meeting could signal more favorable policies under Trump’s administration. Some pointed out a tweet from Garlinghouse just days prior where he referred to what he called a “Trump bull market.” In that post dated January 5th, he remarked how significant changes could be underway for Ripple following years of stagnation due to regulatory hurdles imposed by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
Garlinghouse also highlighted tangible signs of growth within Ripple itself; according to him, “75% of our open roles are now US-based,” contrasting sharply with previous hiring trends where most positions were filled internationally over recent years. He further noted that since November’s election results came through last year—Ripple had secured more deals within six weeks than it had managed over half a year prior.
Attributing these developments partly to what he’s termed as “the Trump effect,” Garlinghouse believes that incoming leadership is already fostering innovation and job creation even before taking office officially—a sentiment echoed by industry insiders who anticipate shifts in policy direction favoring cryptocurrency businesses moving forward.
As we wrap up this discussion around one notable dinner event shaping perceptions within digital finance circles—the current trading price for XRP stands at $2.28—a figure many investors will keep an eye on amid evolving political landscapes impacting cryptocurrency regulations.
