Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that the U.S. Senate's crypto market structure bill, known as the Clarity Act, remains uncertain despite a recent stablecoin compromise. Speaking at Consensus 2026 in Miami Beach, he emphasized that a Senate Banking Committee hearing this month is crucial for its advancement. Without it in the next two weeks, the bill's chances could drop sharply.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs, addressed the status of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act during Consensus 2026 in Miami Beach on Tuesday. He described the legislation as not a 'done deal,' with its survival hinging on the scheduling of a Senate Banking Committee hearing to mark up the bill. Senators recently revealed compromise language on stablecoin yield, a key issue that had stalled progress, aiming to allow crypto firms certain rewards programs without mimicking bank deposits. Garlinghouse acknowledged imperfections in the deal but argued that 'clarity is better than chaos.' 'Do I think it's perfect? Hell, no,' he said. 'There's tradeoffs and compromises, but I do think clarity is better than chaos.' Banking groups, however, criticized the compromise as falling short, while crypto insiders have deemed it acceptable. The Ripple CEO stressed the need for codifying crypto-friendly policies into law to ensure permanence beyond the current SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, who succeeded Gary Gensler. 'There will be another Paul Atkins after Paul who we don't know which side of this argument they're going to fall on,' Garlinghouse noted. He added that without legislation, future leaders could reverse course. Separately, he predicted the stablecoin market will reach $3 trillion by 2031, up from $320 billion today, with Ripple's RLUSD launched in 2024.
