Ripple CEO on XRP: 'Maybe We Won't Be Selling as Much'

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In a recent high-profile interview with Bloomberg, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse addressed long-standing concerns about the company’s XRP sales strategy, offering new clarity on future plans while confidently shifting into an offensive stance following a major regulatory development. With the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) reportedly moving to drop its appeal in the ongoing legal battle, Garlinghouse emphasized growing momentum for Ripple and its digital assets.

Shifting the Narrative on XRP Sales

For years, Ripple has faced scrutiny over its ownership and periodic sales of XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. Critics have questioned the impact of large token holdings and potential market dilution from corporate selling. However, Garlinghouse pushed back during the Bloomberg conversation, suggesting that such concerns may soon become less relevant.

"You know, at some point, maybe we won’t be selling as much," said Garlinghouse in response to questions about Ripple’s XRP disposal strategy.

This subtle but significant shift implies a maturing approach to token management—one that aligns with increased market stability and broader adoption. The executive acknowledged the paradoxical nature of public criticism: Ripple is faulted both for holding a large reserve and for occasionally selling portions of it.

"But right now, frankly, we get criticized for owning too much, and then we're criticized for selling some," he remarked wryly.

With over 42% of the total XRP supply still under company control—down from initial allocations—Ripple appears to be repositioning itself from a seller to a strategic steward of its digital asset.

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XRP Supply Dynamics: A Slightly Deflationary Model

Garlinghouse also highlighted a lesser-known aspect of XRP’s economic model: its gradual deflationary trend. While most cryptocurrencies either inflate over time or maintain fixed supplies, XRP has seen a slight reduction in circulating units due to transaction fees being burned with each transfer.

"The supply has decreased to 99.9 billion units," Garlinghouse noted, referring to the cumulative effect of fee destruction across billions of transactions.

Though not fully deflationary in the traditional sense, this mechanism introduces a subtle scarcity dynamic uncommon among top-tier digital assets. This characteristic could enhance long-term value perception, especially as network usage grows and more fees are permanently removed from circulation.

Such attributes position XRP not just as a bridge currency for cross-border payments but as a digitally scarce asset with built-in economic resilience.

Regulatory Clarity Boosts Confidence

One of the most pivotal developments discussed was the SEC’s decision to abandon its appeal in the Ripple lawsuit—a case that has shaped much of the U.S. crypto regulatory landscape since 2020.

As previously reported, the SEC filed its intent to drop the appeal, marking a turning point for Ripple after years of legal uncertainty. For Garlinghouse, this shift brings welcome clarity—not only for the company but for institutional investors watching from the sidelines.

"It provides a lot of certainty—for Ripple, and for me personally," he said.

Despite this progress, Ripple has not withdrawn its own cross-appeal against the SEC, maintaining pressure for a definitive ruling on whether XRP qualifies as a security when sold to retail investors.

"We’re gonna see. It feels a lot better to be on the offense than on the defense," Garlinghouse stated, underscoring a newly assertive posture in regulatory engagement.

This strategic pivot reflects growing confidence in Ripple’s compliance framework and its vision for global financial integration through blockchain technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Ripple still selling XRP?
A: Ripple continues to sell XRP selectively, primarily to institutional partners and exchanges. However, CEO Brad Garlinghouse has indicated these sales may decrease in frequency and volume moving forward.

Q: Why is XRP considered slightly deflationary?
A: Each XRP transaction destroys a small amount of tokens as network fees. Over time, this reduces the total supply—currently down to approximately 99.9 billion units—creating mild deflationary pressure.

Q: What does the SEC dropping its appeal mean for XRP?
A: The move signals weakening regulatory opposition and strengthens legal standing for XRP as a non-security in secondary markets. It also enhances market confidence and opens doors for broader investment.

Q: How much XRP does Ripple still own?
A: According to Garlinghouse, Ripple holds around 42% of the total XRP supply. The company uses these reserves for strategic partnerships, ecosystem development, and limited market operations.

Q: Could XRP become fully deflationary?
A: Not under current protocol rules. While transaction fees are burned, new XRP cannot be mined or issued, making it semi-deflationary with diminishing supply over time.

RLUSD Aims for Top 5 Stablecoin Spot

Beyond XRP, Ripple is expanding its footprint in the digital asset ecosystem with RLUSD, its regulated U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin. Garlinghouse revealed ambitious growth targets: positioning RLUSD among the top five stablecoins by market capitalization before year-end.

"Our goal is to push RLUSD into the top 5 by the end of the year," he stated confidently.

The stablecoin has already gained traction, recently listed on LMAX Digital—a major institutional exchange—signaling strong acceptance in traditional finance circles. With increasing demand for transparent, compliant digital dollars, RLUSD leverages Ripple’s existing infrastructure and regulatory rigor to compete with established players like USDC and DAI.

Garlinghouse believes the stablecoin sector will undergo dramatic expansion in 2025, driven by institutional adoption and real-world use cases in payments and trading.

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The Road Ahead for Ripple

Ripple’s evolving strategy reflects a broader transformation in the crypto industry—from speculative volatility toward sustainable utility and regulatory alignment. By reducing reliance on XRP sales, reinforcing economic fundamentals, and launching compliant products like RLUSD, Ripple is building a diversified portfolio positioned for mainstream integration.

As global payment networks modernize, Ripple’s focus on fast, low-cost settlements via blockchain remains highly relevant. With clearer skies ahead legally and growing product momentum, the company is no longer reacting to challenges—it’s setting the pace.

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