Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse mentioned he and co-founder Chris Larsen significantly thought of shutting the corporate down after the SEC sued in 2020 and distributing Ripple’s XRP holdings to shareholders.
In a KU Hustle interview, Garlinghouse mentioned they selected to battle as an alternative as a result of closing Ripple would have price a whole lot of jobs. He estimated the four-year authorized battle price the corporate about $150 million. The situation involved Ripple as an organization, somewhat than a shutdown of the XRP Ledger or a lack of XRP held by the general public.
We virtually determined to close down the corporate when the SEC sued us. We we had been like uh you understand like the federal government has infinite energy and assets.
The SEC’s August 2025 litigation launch dismissed their respective appeals, resolving the enforcement motion. Nonetheless, the district courtroom’s last judgment remained in impact, together with a $125.04 million civil penalty and an injunction towards Ripple.
Garlinghouse mentioned Ripple and Larsen had thought of winding down the corporate and distributing its XRP holdings to shareholders on a professional rata foundation. They selected to proceed working and battle the case, a choice Garlinghouse mentioned preserved a whole lot of jobs however finally price about $150 million in authorized charges.
A company choice with XRP on the heart
Ripple fairness, XRP held by Ripple, the XRP Ledger, and XRP held by the general public are various things. The plan Garlinghouse described involved dissolving Ripple and distributing the corporate’s XRP holdings to its shareholders. It didn’t indicate that the ledger would shut down or that XRP held by the general public can be transferred or misplaced.
Ripple might have shut down and the XRP Ledger nonetheless would have stored operating. Garlinghouse wasn’t making a name on XRP’s value or suggesting the community or current holders can be affected by the corporate’s destiny.
Ripple’s XRP reserve gave the corporate a manner out if it selected to close down. As an alternative, management stayed the course, accepting years of litigation and mounting authorized payments in trade for protecting the enterprise alive.
The interview stops in need of saying Ripple’s XRP reserve paid for its protection. What it reveals is the leverage that reserve gave its leaders when the selection narrowed to preventing on or shutting down.
