Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Hailed as ‘Steve Jobs of Crypto’ by XRP Advocate John Deaton
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has earned high praise from crypto attorney John Deaton, who named him a leading candidate for the “Steve Jobs of Crypto” title alongside Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.
Deaton, a prominent defender of XRP holders during Ripple’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), highlighted Garlinghouse’s leadership in navigating regulatory challenges and pushing for clearer crypto policies.
The accolade came in response to a question about who in the crypto industry mirrors the visionary impact of Apple’s late founder.
Deaton’s support for Garlinghouse stems from their shared history in the Ripple-SEC lawsuit, where he filed an amicus brief in 2021 to represent XRP holders.
This alliance deepened as Garlinghouse endorsed Deaton’s Senate campaign against Senator Elizabeth Warren, with additional backing from Coinbase’s Brian Armstrong. Both CEOs have faced high-stakes SEC lawsuits and are actively shaping crypto policy, including through contributions to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent campaign, signaling their growing influence in Washington.
Deaton later added Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev to his list of visionary leaders, acknowledging Tenev’s role in fintech innovation. However, not all feedback was positive.
A crypto enthusiast, Dave, questioned Ripple’s product-market fit, arguing it lacks the cohesion to rival top fintech players despite its promising components. These criticisms echo ongoing debates about Ripple’s business model, yet the company continues to forge ahead.
Ripple is expanding its footprint with RLUSD, a stablecoin aimed at revolutionizing the $685 billion global remittance market. Recent partnerships, such as with OpenPayd for real-time EUR and GBP payment rails, underscore Ripple’s focus on enhancing cross-border payment infrastructure, positioning it as a key player in international finance.