Ripple CEO Warns of Two-Week CLARITY Act Window

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse warned on Tuesday at the Consensus conference in Miami that the next two weeks represent a critical window for advancing the CLARITY Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at establishing a federal framework for digital asset regulation, before political pressures from the 2026 midterm elections erode momentum.

The legislation seeks to provide regulatory clarity by dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The House of Representatives passed its version in July 2025. In the Senate, the measure advanced through the Agriculture Committee following a January markup but awaits action from the Banking Committee, where delays have centered on issues including stablecoin rewards, conflicts of interest, and illicit finance rules.

Garlinghouse stressed the urgency, stating, "If it doesn't happen, then I think the likelihood is going to drop precipitously because if it gets into midterms it's going to be too much of a loaded issue." He described the bill as imperfect but essential, adding, "Do I think it's perfect? Hell, no. There's tradeoffs and compromises, but I do think clarity...