At the recent Swell conference, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse spoke about the possibility of the company going public. When asked about a possible IPO in light of expected regulatory clarity next year, he clarified: “An IPO has not been a high priority for us. Part of that is because the SEC is not our friend.”
In an interview with Thinking Crypto, he said most companies want to go public primarily to raise capital. Ripple, on the other hand, has maintained a strong financial position, allowing it to invest in various projects and make acquisitions without the immediate need for public financing. “We have a hostile SEC and a company that doesn’t need to raise capital,” he said, explaining why an IPO isn’t top of Ripple’s agenda.
Garlinghouse recognized the importance of ensuring liquidity for shareholders and maintaining appropriate business valuation. However, he reiterated that prioritizing an IPO is not urgent, especially given the time-consuming process it entails. “Even when I think about it, it usually takes another 12 months for a company to go public,” he said, adding that regulations need to improve first.
The Crypto Market Outlook for 2025
When discussing the broader crypto market heading into 2025, Garlinghouse expressed positivity despite the challenges the sector has faced.
Garlinghouse pointed out that the US government’s previously hostile attitude toward crypto is starting to change, especially as major players like BlackRock enter the space. He explained the importance of this development as it points to increasing institutional interest in blockchain technology and its potential applications.
While acknowledging the difficulty in making accurate predictions about crypto prices, Garlinghouse remains optimistic about the next two years, suggesting that positive changes will occur sooner rather than later.