Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has hinted that $XRP holders could receive “something special” if Ripple eventually becomes a public company.
This revelation came during a recent interview on the Crypto In America podcast with journalist Eleanor Terrett. Garlinghouse discussed Ripple’s stance on an IPO and explained why the company is currently in no rush to go public.
Key Points
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse hinted $XRP holders could receive “something special” if Ripple goes public.
- Garlinghouse said Ripple is not rushing into an IPO, citing weak performance from crypto public listings.
- The Ripple CEO said $XRP adoption and ecosystem growth remain central to Ripple’s long-term strategy.
- $XRP community members viewed Garlinghouse’s IPO comments as a bullish sign for future holder benefits.
Ripple Not Prioritizing IPO Right Now
Garlinghouse said Ripple has not made an initial public offering a major priority, pointing to the recent struggles of crypto-related IPOs.
According to him, firms like BitGo and Gemini have not performed particularly well in the public market environment. He also referenced reports that Kraken has delayed its own IPO plans.
Meanwhile, the Ripple CEO added that there are also advantages to remaining a private company. He joked that staying private allows him to speak more freely without immediate pressure from regulators or legal teams.
Still, Garlinghouse acknowledged that Ripple may eventually explore going public, though he stressed that this is not an immediate focus for the company.
“Something Special” for $XRP Holders
The conversation then shifted to what $XRP holders stand to gain from a Ripple IPO. Specifically, Eleanor Terrett asked whether $XRP holders could directly benefit from Ripple’s success if the company eventually launches an IPO.
Garlinghouse responded by saying he already hopes $XRP holders benefit from Ripple’s efforts to grow the ecosystem and increase $XRP adoption globally. However, he went further by hinting at the possibility of additional benefits in the future.
According to Garlinghouse, there could be a scenario in which Ripple does “something special” for $XRP holders if and when the company goes public. However, he emphasized that such discussions are not part of Ripple’s immediate plans. In his words:
“If and when Ripple goes public, would we do something special for people who hold $XRP? Maybe, but that’s not in the immediate term.”
$XRP Community Reacts
The statement drew attention within the $XRP community because it is one of the rare occasions where the Ripple CEO has openly discussed the possibility of rewarding $XRP holders in connection with a future IPO.
Community figure Xaif highlighted Garlinghouse’s remarks on social media, saying the Ripple CEO had “casually mentioned” doing something special for $XRP holders. He interpreted the remarks as a bullish sign for the long-term relationship between Ripple and $XRP holders.
Brad just casually mentioned doing “something special” for xrp holders if ripple goes public 👀
bro said it himself. hold accordingly. ripple:native pic.twitter.com/E1vSUBROdM— Xaif Crypto (@Xaif_Crypto) May 7, 2026
“We Always Consider $XRP Holders”
During the interview, Garlinghouse also stressed his support for the $XRP community, describing it as a major driving force behind Ripple’s decisions.
He explained that Ripple considers the impact on $XRP adoption when making acquisitions, partnerships, and external investments.
Garlinghouse also referenced Ripple’s support for high-quality digital-asset treasury firms. He cited Evernorth as an example of the type of company Ripple wants to help grow within the ecosystem.
Notably, Evernorth has taken steps toward establishing the largest $XRP treasury with Ripple’s backing. According to Garlinghouse, Ripple believes these efforts benefit $XRP holders, the community, and Ripple shareholders at the same time.
“We think that’s good for the community. It’s good for Ripple shareholders. It’s good for everybody.”
