Key Takeaways
- Garlinghouse highlighted pro-crypto election wins across both parties.
- He cited 67 million American crypto users as a growing constituency.
- The Ripple CEO called for clear rules and crypto development in America.
Garlinghouse Points to Crypto’s Staying Power
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said on Nov. 4 that pro-crypto candidates had won across party lines in the U.S. elections. The message on X accompanied a statement from Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty on the industry’s political position.
In his assessment of bipartisan crypto support, Garlinghouse stated:
“Pro-crypto members won on both sides of the aisle … and the 67M (and growing) Americans using crypto aren’t going anywhere. New Congress, with the same mission: clear rules, built in America.”
The 67 million crypto ownership estimate appeared in the National Cryptocurrency Association’s 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report, released May 13. The crypto education nonprofit, whose president is Alderoty, produced the research with The Harris Poll, a polling and market research firm. Its findings put ownership at roughly one in four American adults, up from one in five a year earlier.
Fairshake Wins Reflect Years of Political Engagement
Alderoty credited Fairshake, a super PAC supporting pro-crypto candidates, with meaningful victories in both primaries and the general election. Super PACs are political action committees that can raise unlimited funds for election spending independent of candidates’ campaigns. In his statement on crypto’s election results, the Ripple legal chief attributed the industry’s position to years of work by grassroots advocates and industry organizations.
Stand With Crypto, a crypto advocacy organization, maintains congressional candidate ratings that track politicians’ positions on digital assets. Alderoty stated: “Early Stand With Crypto data shows a substantial number of pro-crypto members elected across both parties.”
Company funding formed another part of that effort well before this election. Ripple disclosed its third $25 million Fairshake contribution in November 2024, extending its financial support for the group’s work. At the time, Alderoty described the contribution as part of Ripple’s pledge to remain a strong force in Washington for years to come.
Policy Work Extends Beyond a Single Election Cycle
Earlier this year, Alderoty pursued outreach to undecided Senate offices as lawmakers considered the CLARITY Act. In September, he urged senators to meet Americans who held crypto before voting. His approach brought constituents’ experiences into discussions about federal digital asset legislation.
After the measure failed to advance in the Senate, his call for coordinated industry advocacy focused on improving the industry’s policy message. Following the election, Alderoty wrote:
“Congratulations to everyone elected this week. We look forward to working with members of both parties to keep America the best place in the world to build the future.”
“Clear rules for digital assets were never a one-cycle project,” he added.
Beyond electoral politics, Alderoty described crypto use in everyday finance as mainstream finance, pointing to adoption by banks and businesses. He said Americans used digital assets to build financial independence, power businesses, and pay for goods and services. Ripple’s planned work included political engagement through super PACs and other advocacy groups, plus education through nonprofits such as the National Cryptocurrency Association.
