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Ripple’s CEO has revealed that his 25-year-old bank account was closed due to his role leading a crypto company, underscoring rising regulatory pressures and uncertain U.S. policies.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s Bank Account Closed by Major Institution After 25 Years
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has disclosed he was recently debanked, citing increased regulatory scrutiny impacting figures within the cryptocurrency sector. In a CNBC interview, he recounted:
I personally have been debanked. I got a call not that long ago from one of the major banking institutions I had had an account with for 25 years, and they said, ‘You have 5 days to move your money.’
Questioning the rationale, Garlinghouse said the bank was frank about the reason. “They were actually super honest,” the Ripple CEO said, quoting the bank as saying: “Look, you are a notable person in crypto, and having notable people with crypto and banking the crypto industry means more scrutiny from federal regulators, so we don’t want it.”
“Now, that’s not legal,” he continued. While noting that there are other banks that will bank him, he pointed out: “Imagine if you extrapolate that out in more banks, and if I actually was cut off in the banking system for the sole reason that I’m the CEO of Ripple. That is a hostile administration, and I think no matter what happens in this next election, we’ll have a reset.’” Later, he confirmed to Coindesk that Citigroup Inc. was the institution involved.
In expressing optimism for future regulatory changes, Garlinghouse forecasted a shift in U.S. policy following the next election, which he believes could offer a more favorable environment for crypto innovation. Advising U.S.-based fintech companies, he suggested they consider foreign incorporation to ensure regulatory stability, adding that several jurisdictions already provide clearer guidance for the sector. Garlinghouse also noted that the U.S. may come to realize the lost strategic opportunity in failing to embrace blockchain technology as essential to the evolving financial landscape.
Addressing Ripple’s ongoing legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), he highlighted a significant court decision, which ruled “XRP in and of itself is not a security” — a decision Garlinghouse called a pivotal win for the crypto industry. He further criticized the SEC’s inconsistent approach to regulating cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum, pointing to the need for clearer, more reliable guidelines.