During Senate hearings, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expressed serious concerns about the role of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in regulating digital assets.
Industry's Primary Concerns
On July 10, 2025, the legal analysis platform CryptoLaw raised ongoing concerns about the regulatory authority of the SEC. The organization highlighted that industry stakeholders are hesitant to trust a non-elected official, especially given the SEC's history of not acting in good faith.
Inconsistency of SEC Positions
Garlinghouse addressed the structural challenges of relying on the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to jointly oversee the digital asset industry. He pointed out that the SEC has sometimes taken contradictory legal positions even within a single case, which deepens marketplace confusion. This inconsistency undermines confidence among market participants.
Call for Active Congressional Oversight
Garlinghouse called for Congress to intervene in defining the legal framework for digital assets. He emphasized that relying on unelected officials to shape regulatory policies is not pragmatic, especially given the SEC's recent track record.
Garlinghouse's comments and CryptoLaw's post reflect ongoing concerns about the SEC's conduct and its approach to digital asset enforcement, emphasizing the need for legislative clarity.
