Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said on Sept. 3 that making the United States the global center of the cryptocurrency industry remains “within reach,” while urging policymakers to complete the country’s regulatory framework. His comment came after CFTC Chair Michael Selig discussed an August White House gathering involving executives from crypto, finance, and technology companies.
“Proud to be in the room. Making America the crypto capital of the world is within reach — let’s finish the job,” Garlinghouse wrote on X.
The White House meeting took place on Aug. 19 and brought Garlinghouse together with Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, Kraken co-CEO Arjun Sethi, Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman, Intercontinental Exchange CEO Jeffrey Sprecher, Gemini co-founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov, SEC Chair Paul Atkins and CFTC Chair Michael Selig. Selig said the administration is working to ensure the “new frontier of finance” is built in the United States.
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act remains the immediate legislative test. The House passed its version, but the Senate’s amended bill still requires approval. A reported Sept. 15 cloture vote needs at least 60 senators before the bill can advance. Senate negotiations have included disagreements over decentralized finance, ethics restrictions, consumer protections and stablecoin rewards, and seven Democratic senators previously opposed an emerging draft and requested stronger safeguards.
The Senate vote would not complete the process. If senators adopt language differing from the House bill, both chambers must reconcile versions before sending legislation to the president. The House is scheduled to spend only four legislative days in session after Sept. 15, leaving limited time. Related analysis found Congress has only 14 working days available for the legislation under the current calendar. If Congress cannot finish before midterm campaigning intensifies, consideration could shift into the post-election lame-duck session. Garlinghouse’s statement that U.S. crypto leadership is “within reach” therefore depends heavily on legislative execution.
