The "Trump Effect": Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Bets on Pro-Blockchain New Administration

Ripple is on a U.S.-based hiring spree, and it's got crypto enthusiasts speculating wildly.

According to a recent LinkedIn post by Ripple’s Head of Talent Acquisition, the payments giant is looking to fill over 100 engineering and product development roles in the United States. This news comes hot on the heels of Ripple's recent announcement that it will be expanding its presence in Southeast Asia with 2023 set to be a "banner year" for crypto in Asia.

Now, what could this sudden shift in focus towards the U.S. bode for the crypto industry? Let's unpack the "Trump effect" and see how it might impact XRP holders.

Ripple’s U.S. hiring spree: What’s the catalyst?

This is good news for XRP holders and a stark contrast to just a few years back, when Ripple was so fed up with domestic regulatory hurdles it nearly packed its bags for friendlier shores.

The catalyst, according to the company, is the “Trump effect.” Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, used that very phrase in a recent social media post on X, citing the incoming administration of former President Donald Trump—who is set to be inaugurated again on January 20, 2025—as a game-changer for the crypto industry. Garlinghouse posted a photo of himself grabbing dinner with Trump and Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, telling followers that “Team Trump is already jumpstarting innovation and job growth in the US.”

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse at dinner with President Trump, Source: X

There’s growing chatter in crypto circles that his new administration will lean heavily pro-blockchain, loosening regulations and revisiting the approach taken by former SEC Chair Gary Gensler—an approach Garlinghouse claims “effectively froze” Ripple’s U.S. expansion for years.

Now, let's quickly recap Ripple’s rocky relationship with the U.S. regulators.

Back in 2018, the SEC announced that it was investigating whether Ripple's sale of XRP violated securities laws. This probe culminated in a lawsuit being filed by the SEC in 2020, alleging that Ripple and its executives had raised over $1.3 billion through the unregistered sale of XRP.

As a result of this lawsuit and the ensuing legal battle, Ripple shifted its focus away from the U.S. market, with 95% of its customers being based outside the United States at the height of its overseas hiring drive.

However, with the upcoming change in administration and Ripple's recent U.S.-based hiring push, it appears that the company is once again betting on growth in its home market.

What does this mean for XRP holders?

This news has XRP holders watching with bated breath, as the token's domestic growth was stifled under the previous regulatory regime.

With the next administration preparing to take office, analysts are predicting that 2025 could be the year for XRP to finally post impressive price gains. While nothing is guaranteed in the world of crypto, a more favorable regulatory climate usually bodes well for tokens, and XRP is no exception.

If you're planning to build a diverse crypto portfolio for the long haul, then XRP is a wise addition. After all, there's nothing bullish than the tacit approval of President Trump himself—it's not called the "Trump Pump" for nothing.

So get ready, folks. If you're keen on joining a crypto company that's doubling down on the U.S., then Ripple's hiring spree could be your golden ticket. And if you're holding XRP, you'll probably be hoping that this "Trump effect" turns out to be more than just dinner-table talk. One thing's for sure: 2025 just got a whole lot more interesting. See you on the moon.