News View Non-AMP

Ripple CEO Breaks Silence on Linqto Scandal “No Business Relationship”

Published by
Zafar Naik and Sohrab Khawas

As investor panic spreads through the XRP community, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has broken his silence, offering a firm statement that sets the record straight on Ripple’s involvement with troubled private equity platform Linqto.

In a tweet that comes amid mounting scrutiny and a potential bankruptcy filing at Linqto, Garlinghouse wrote:

“To be clear, on Ripple’s end: What we know from our records is Linqto owns 4.7M shares of Ripple, solely purchased on the secondary market from other Ripple shareholders (never directly from Ripple).”

That line says a lot about the controversy that is flaring up. Read on for all the clarity you need. 

Linqto in Crisis Mode

Linqto, once touted as a gateway for retail investors to access high-profile private companies like Ripple and Circle, is now facing federal investigations and a looming financial collapse. The platform abruptly halted operations, froze user accounts, and sparked outrage with a proposed refund model that only returns original investments, cutting investors off from any profits made.

Garlinghouse: “No Business Relationship” With Linqto

Garlinghouse didn’t stop at clarifying share ownership. He added:

“Apart from Linqto being a shareholder, Ripple has never had a business relationship with Linqto, nor have they participated in our financing rounds. We stopped approving more Linqto purchases on secondary markets in late 2024 amid growing skepticism.”

This distancing move sends a clear message: Ripple wants no part in the fallout.

And for good reason. The blowback from Linqto’s meltdown is already threatening investor trust across the broader crypto equity market. Pre-IPO platforms, once hailed as democratizing access, are now under fire for lacking transparency and investor protection.

John Deaton Calls for Calm

Should you be panicking? Probably not.

Attorney John Deaton, who is also a Linqto investor, recently addressed the growing anxiety within the XRP community. In a detailed post, he acknowledged how deeply personal the situation is for many – calling out that some investors have their entire savings or retirement funds tied up in the platform.

Deaton struck a reassuring tone, explaining that Linqto has no debt, that shares are accounted for, and that a bankruptcy process could actually offer protection and transparency.

“There is good reason to believe you’re getting your money back – and it’s very possible to realize the upside of those investments,” he wrote.

His message was clear: stay calm, stay informed, and don’t lose hope.

For now, while Ripple may not be legally tied to Linqto, the scandal’s proximity is enough to raise red flags. Garlinghouse’s clarity certainly makes the picture clearer though. 

FAQs

What is the Linqto scandal?

The Linqto scandal refers to the current crisis faced by the private equity investment platform Linqto. It involves federal investigations, a looming financial collapse, frozen user accounts, and a controversial proposed refund model that only returns original investments, denying users their profits. This has caused significant panic, especially among investors who held shares of companies like Ripple through the platform.

What is Linqto’s proposed refund model, and why is it controversial?

Linqto’s proposed refund model is controversial because it only returns investors’ original investments, effectively cutting them off from any profits made on their holdings. This has sparked outrage among users who invested in high-profile private companies like Ripple through the platform.

Zafar Naik and Sohrab Khawas

Zafar is a seasoned crypto and blockchain news writer with four years of experience. Known for accuracy, in-depth analysis, and a clear, engaging style, Zafar actively participates in blockchain communities. Beyond writing, Zafar enjoys trading and exploring the latest trends in the crypto market.

Trust with CoinPedia:

CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:

All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:

Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Recent Posts

Crypto Market Correction Deepens: On-Chain Data Points to Capitulation—What’s Next?

The crypto market is witnessing a steep decline today, with total market capitalisation slipping below…

October 16, 2025

Bitcoin Price Analysis: BTC Slips Below $110,000— Are Bears Back in Control?

Bitcoin’s recent price action has turned sharply bearish after the price fell below the $110,000…

October 16, 2025

Why Ozak AI’s Rapid $3.65M Growth at $0.012 Is Creating FOMO Among Investors Who Missed Early Bitcoin

In the fast-evolving world of cryptocurrency, few projects are turning heads like Ozak AI ($OZ).…

October 16, 2025

XRP May Hit $5, But Ozak AI Price Prediction Suggests Bigger Upside

Ozak AI is rapidly becoming one of the most watched early-stage tokens of the 2025…

October 16, 2025

BlackRock Revamps Money Market Fund to Serve Stablecoin Issuers

BlackRock, the asset management giant, is stepping up its game in the crypto space. With…

October 16, 2025

As SOL & ETH Offer Limited Gains, New Investors Seeking Life-Changing Gains Pivot to Digitap – Next 100X Gem?

The altcoin space is cooling down, and investors are looking for the best crypto to…

October 16, 2025