Ripple Chairman Says Firm Could Leave US if Regulatory Environment Doesn't Change

Ripple has threatened to leave the U.S. if crypto regulation doesn't change.

AccessTimeIconOct 6, 2020 at 8:49 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 14, 2021 at 10:05 a.m. UTC

Ripple Executive Chairman Chris Larsen threatened to pull his fintech firm out of the U.S. if what he termed the country's hostile stance toward cryptocurrency companies does not soon change, according to Fortune.

  • Speaking to Fortune's Jeff John Roberts at the LA Blockchain Summit on Tuesday, Larsen named Singapore and the U.K. as possible countries where the San Francisco-based company could move if the regulatory environment doesn't improve.
  • He acknowledged that Ripple leaving the U.S. would do little to stop top-line federal regulatory oversight but said a softer host government would nonetheless help.
  • His payments company is battling investor allegations that XRP is a security as well as mixed signals from regulators at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Larsen, saying nearly every other country has a better handling of crypto than the U.S., and claimed the U.S. is letting China lead the way on digital currency innovation.
  • He said a possible Joe Biden administration may be beneficial in "repatriating" miners currently domiciled in China, noting that 65% of all miners are domiciled there.

DISCLOSURE

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.