In a recent on-stage interview, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse revisited the relationship between Ripple and XRP, one of the most persistent misunderstandings in the crypto space.
The video, shared by crypto commentator BankXRP (@BankXRP) on X, centered on clarifying what Ripple is as a company and what XRP represents as a digital asset and open-source technology.
Garlinghouse began by reflecting on the company’s long-running legal challenges, noting that they were rooted in questions about Ripple’s identity and the status of XRP. The CEO stated that the lawsuit was about the company’s identity, adding that Ripple “is a privately funded company that raised venture capital and issued stock.”
Those shares, he said, are securities. The distinction, according to Garlinghouse, is that XRP is not. “What is XRP, which is a technology, an open source technology that is kind of native to our products,” he explained.
Ripple Brad Garlinghouse what is @Ripple
What is #XRP“XRP has a CEO well who is he”
Ripple doesn’t control the XRP ledger pic.twitter.com/tgoYJ7Jr4v
— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) October 15, 2025
Clarifying Misconceptions About Control and Leadership
One of Garlinghouse’s more pointed comments addressed a misconception that XRP itself has a CEO. “People will say things like, well, XRP has a CEO, and I’m like, who is it? Ripple has a CEO. That’s me,” he said. By contrast, XRP operates as part of a decentralized network, developed and maintained by a community of participants outside Ripple’s corporate structure.
He emphasized that Ripple uses XRP within its product stack but does not control the network or the token. He also pointed out that many companies develop independently within the XRP ecosystem, creating products and infrastructure that are separate from Ripple’s operations, and using XRP within their corporate structures.
An Open-Source System Beyond Ripple’s Control
Garlinghouse described the XRP Ledger as open-source and community-driven, stating that Ripple cannot unilaterally dictate changes to the network. “People don’t understand, Ripple does not control XRP,” he said. The ledger operates on community governance rules requiring substantial consensus for amendments.
“There have been amendments passed to the XRP open source technology that we opposed,” he explained. “We were against them, and they still passed.” That process, he continued, represents the nature of open-source systems.
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Ripple has also supported proposals that have been approved through the same process, but Garlinghouse reiterated that Ripple lacks the authority to make unilateral decisions.
A Message About Decentralization and Education
Misconceptions about XRP’s governance often stem from a limited understanding of decentralized technologies. “When I hear people say that, I think, okay, they’re not educated about what’s going on, and so we need to educate people,” he said.
Garlinghouse’s comments show that XRP operates independently from the company that uses it, with decision-making spread across a distributed community.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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