Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said he and co-founder Chris Larsen considered shutting down the company after the SEC filed suit in 2020.
Garlinghouse made the comments in a KU Hustle interview. He explained that closing Ripple would have eliminated hundreds of jobs. The leaders instead decided to fight the case.
The four-year legal battle cost the company about $150 million. Ripple's XRP holdings provided an option to distribute assets to shareholders if needed.
The SEC dismissed its appeals in August 2025. A district court judgment remains in place with a $125.04 million penalty and an injunction against Ripple.
