By CentBit.Online – Crypto & Blockchain Expert, Bangladesh
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has revealed that U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis—one of Capitol Hill’s most vocal Bitcoin supporters—abruptly canceled a scheduled meeting with him and “hasn’t been willing to reschedule.” The disclosure, made during a fintech conference Q&A, spotlights the growing rift between Washington’s Bitcoin-first legislators and executives representing other digital-asset projects such as XRP.
What Happened?
Garlinghouse said his team had arranged a policy discussion with Senator Lummis to brief her on:
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Ripple’s U.S. expansion plans after its partial SEC court victory
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XRP Ledger use-cases in cross-border payments
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Stablecoin regulation and the broader need for clear, tech-neutral rules
According to Garlinghouse, Lummis’ office canceled “at the last minute” and, despite follow-ups, “has not offered a new date.” No reason was publicly provided.
Why It Matters
| Issue | Implication |
|---|---|
| Bitcoin-only stance | Lummis’ legislative agenda—most notably the bipartisan Lummis-Gillibrand bill—focuses heavily on Bitcoin’s commodity status, leaving XRP and other alt-coins in regulatory limbo. |
| Lobbying dynamics | Ripple has ramped up D.C. outreach after winning clarity that XRP sales on exchanges aren’t necessarily securities. A closed door with key senators complicates that strategy. |
| Market sentiment | Perceived hostility from lawmakers toward non-Bitcoin tokens can sway investor allocations and stall U.S. fintech innovation. |
Reactions from Both Camps
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Ripple Community: Many XRP holders view the snub as evidence of a “maxi bias” in Congress that could stifle competition.
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Bitcoin Advocates: Some applaud Lummis for prioritizing meetings with projects that align with Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos and proof-of-work security.
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Policy Analysts: They warn that excluding major payment networks like Ripple from dialogue risks fragmented regulation and lost U.S. competitiveness.
Broader Impact on Crypto & Bangladesh
For emerging-market innovators—including startups in Bangladesh—Washington’s policy divide has real consequences:
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Clarity vs. Uncertainty: Bitcoin may gain faster green-lights, while alt-coin-centric payment rails face longer approval cycles.
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Investment Flows: VC money could tilt toward Bitcoin infrastructure, delaying funding for multi-chain solutions that might better serve remittances and micro-finance in South Asia.
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RegTech Opportunity: Bangladeshi firms can step in by building compliance APIs that adapt to asset-specific U.S. rules, easing access for regional exchanges and fintech apps.
What’s Next?
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Rescheduling Still Possible: Garlinghouse hinted he’s “open anytime” if Lummis reconsiders.
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Legislative Timeline: The Lummis-Gillibrand Responsible Financial Innovation Act may see floor debate later in 2025; Ripple’s voice—or absence—could influence amendments.
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Industry Coalition Building: Expect alt-coin projects to form broader coalitions to ensure their interests are heard amid Bitcoin-centric policy pushes.
CentBit.Online will keep tracking Capitol Hill developments and explain how they shape crypto adoption, regulation, and innovation opportunities for Bangladesh and the wider emerging-market community.
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