Ripple’s Top Lawyer Says XRP Has Unique Status in U.S.

In a recent interview with CNBC, Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s chief legal officer, provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency regulations in the United States, shedding light on the distinctive regulatory position of XRP. Ripple recently achieved a significant legal victory when a court ruled that secondary sales of XRP were not securities, setting it apart from other digital tokens.

Alderoty highlighted the disparity between the regulatory clarity surrounding XRP in other countries and the ongoing uncertainty in the U.S. In nations like Singapore, the UK, the European Union, Dubai, Brazil, Australia, and Japan, rational and innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks are in place, ensuring that cryptocurrency projects can thrive while adhering to robust regulations. However, in the United States, the cryptocurrency industry is ensnared in political and regulatory battles, leading to a lack of sound and consistent policy.

Underlining the importance of Ripple’s courtroom victory on July 13th, Alderoty stated, “The ruling that XRP is not a security provides clear regulatory guidance for XRP in the U.S.” He proudly pointed out that “XRP, as a digital token, now holds a unique non-security classification in the United States.” Alderoty had previously asserted that, in the U.S., only XRP and Bitcoin enjoy such regulatory clarity. Notably, SEC Chair Gary Gensler has repeatedly acknowledged Bitcoin as a non-security.

Despite Ripple’s individual success in securing regulatory clarity for XRP, Alderoty voiced concerns regarding the broader issue of the absence of a unified and comprehensive regulatory framework in the United States. He emphasized that the classification of digital tokens as utility, payment, or security assets should not be decided through courtroom battles on a case-by-case basis. Instead, he called for the establishment of a rational and uniform regulatory framework.

While there are policymakers striving to drive sensible and consistent regulatory policies, Alderoty expressed skepticism about substantial progress in the current or even the next Congress. This underscores the urgency of achieving regulatory clarity and predictability to foster innovation and investment in the U.S. cryptocurrency space.