Brad Garlinghouse Criticizes Lummis for Meeting Cancellation

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, while on a trip to Washington, D.C., shared that Senator Cynthia Lummis cancelled a scheduled meeting and has not agreed to reschedule it.

Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, expressed disappointment in U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis’s decision to cancel their meeting and refuse to reschedule, especially given his efforts to promote a balanced approach to digital asset regulation.

Senator Lummis, a staunch supporter of Bitcoin and chair of the Senate Digital Assets Subcommittee, had a scheduled engagement with Garlinghouse during his recent visit to Washington, D.C., to engage with lawmakers on the importance of fostering innovation while setting clear regulatory guidelines.

Highlighting the Senator’s role in a state known for its crypto-friendly policies and her leadership in the digital assets space, Garlinghouse invited Lummis to join him on X (formerly Twitter) Spaces or a live event to continue the conversation publicly.

"I hope you will reconsider and be a leader for ALL of crypto," Garlinghouse stated in response to Lummis’s actions.

However, several community members on X accused the Senator of partiality, with one user, @DarkScarf89, expressing surprise at Lummis’s refusal to meet and highlighting the disparity in support for a level playing field versus a Bitcoin-only narrative.

"Is Cynthia Lummis really refusing to meet with Ripple CEO, and what does that say about her partiality? It's surprising given the common ground they share in supporting a balanced approach to crypto regulation and a level playing field for all innovators."

Yet, Bitcoin supporters showed their support for the Senator. Troy Cross, a Bitcoin maxi, thanked Lummis for “keeping the scammers at bay”, showing distrust towards Ripple and its cryptocurrency, XRP.

This tension showcases a broader conflict between Bitcoin maximalists and broader blockchain ecosystem supporters. Some industry players maintain that all digital assets should be included in regulation, not just Bitcoin.

Despite the controversy, Senator Lummis has remained open about her support for Bitcoin. She has encouraged Americans to invest in the cryptocurrency as a long-term asset, especially in the face of rising government spending and concerns over inflation.

“I encourage people to save Bitcoin for their retirement, for their future,′′ Lummis said. She has consistently described Bitcoin as a safe hedge against the weakening U.S. dollar. Her frequent messaging on Bitcoin has earned her strong backing from the Bitcoin community, though it has also led to criticism from other parts of the digital asset space.

At the same time, Lummis has been working with other lawmakers on crypto-related legislation. She and Senator Bernie Moreno introduced a bill to improve how digital assets are treated under U.S. tax law. Moreover, she also expressed her frustration when the bipartisan GENIUS Act, which aimed to set up a framework for stablecoins, failed to pass.