Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hinted that if Ripple eventually becomes a public company, XRP holders might receive "something special."
This news was revealed during a recent interview with journalist Eleanor Terrett on the "Crypto In America" podcast. Garlinghouse discussed Ripple’s stance on an IPO and explained why the company is not currently in a rush to go public.
Key points
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hinted that XRP holders might receive "something special" if Ripple goes public.
- Garlinghouse said Ripple has no rush to go public due to weak performance of cryptocurrency listings.
- Ripple's CEO stated that the adoption of XRP and the growth of its ecosystem remain central to Ripple's long-term strategy.
- XRP community members view Garlinghouse’s comments during the IPO as a positive signal for future holders.
Ripple is not currently prioritizing an IPO.
Garlinghouse said Ripple has not made an initial public offering (IPO) a priority, citing recent difficulties with cryptocurrency-related IPOs.
He stated that companies like BitGo and Gemini have not performed well in public market conditions. He also mentioned reports that Kraken has delayed its IPO plans.
At the same time, Ripple’s CEO added that remaining private also has its advantages. He joked that staying private allows him to speak more freely without immediate pressure from regulators or legal teams.
However, Garlinghouse also acknowledged that Ripple might eventually consider going public, but he emphasized that this is not the company’s current priority.
Special benefits for XRP holders
The discussion then turned to what benefits XRP holders could gain from Ripple’s IPO. Specifically, Eleanor Terrett asked whether XRP holders would directly benefit from Ripple’s success if it were to go public.
Garlinghouse responded that he hopes XRP holders will benefit from Ripple’s efforts to develop the ecosystem and increase XRP’s global adoption. He also hinted that more benefits may be coming in the future.
According to Garlinghouse, if Ripple were to go public, it might provide “some special benefits” to XRP holders. However, he emphasized that such discussions are not part of Ripple’s immediate plans. He said:
If Ripple lists, will we offer any special benefits to XRP holders? Possibly, but this is not something we’re considering in the near term.
XRP community reaction
The statement has drawn attention in the XRP community, as it is a rare public discussion by Ripple’s CEO about the possibility of rewarding XRP holders in a future IPO.
Community figure Xaif shared Garlinghouse’s comments on social media, stating that the Ripple CEO “casually mentioned” doing something special for XRP holders. He believes this remark signals a promising future for Ripple’s long-term relationship with XRP holders.
Brad casually mentioned that if Ripple lists, he will do "something special" for XRP holders.