Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, speaking about the XRP community at Consensus 2026, said he has never defined himself as an “XRP maximalist.” In his view, the crypto industry will ultimately move toward a multi-chain ecosystem rather than being dominated by a single chain.
Emphasize that the industry should not become tribalized.
Garlinghouse said that competition between blockchains harms the entire crypto industry. He expressed his desire for Bitcoin to succeed, as the future will not be a "one-chain world," but rather one where multiple networks coexist and thrive.
This statement came up in discussions regarding the Ripple brand and the XRP community. The interviewer noted that the XRP community has long been regarded as one of the most loyal groups in the crypto industry, while Garlinghouse sought to distinguish community support from extreme chain positions.
The XRP community remains a vital source of support.
Garlinghouse said that the XRP community has long been a key supporter of Ripple. He mentioned his previous attendance at the XRP Las Vegas event, calling it the most active and energetic gathering the community has ever had.
He also reflected on the shift in industry perception. Garlinghouse said that about seven years ago, at Davos, a central bank official was surprised to see crypto industry representatives present—a clear indication of how institutional views on crypto assets have significantly evolved.
Addressing whether Ripple controls the XRP Ledger
Regarding the relationship between Ripple and XRP, Garlinghouse responded that while Ripple does hold a large amount of XRP, this does not mean the company controls the XRP network. He emphasized that the size of the holdings cannot be directly equated with control over the network.
According to him, Ripple’s role in the XRP ecosystem is more like its most active advocate. The company evaluates all acquisitions and product decisions based on whether they help increase XRP’s adoption, utility, liquidity, and market trust.