SEC Crypto Regulation Under Fire: Musk, Brad Garlinghouse Call Out ‘Dirty Work’

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has stepped into the spotlight, backing Elon Musk’s recent criticism of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Musk, frustrated by the SEC’s scrutiny of his company Neuralink, called the agency a “political tool.” Garlinghouse, who has faced his own struggles with the SEC, amplified Musk’s message, fueling debates in both the cryptocurrency and political arenas.

Is the SEC Overstepping Its Role?

The crypto industry has long accused the SEC of overreach, claiming it creates unnecessary hurdles for innovation. Musk’s comments added fuel to this fire, as he questioned whether the agency is protecting investors or pushing a political agenda.

The Tesla and SpaceX CEO isn’t the first to challenge the SEC’s approach, but his high-profile remarks have once again brought the debate into the spotlight. Many in the tech and crypto spaces argue that the SEC’s aggressive actions are doing more harm than good.

Ripple’s Fight with the SEC

For Garlinghouse, these frustrations hit close to home. Ripple is locked in a legal battle with the SEC, which claims that XRP, its native token, is an unregistered security. The case has become a key example of the ongoing tension between crypto innovation and regulatory control.

Ripple and its supporters argue that the SEC’s actions are unfair and have caused significant losses for XRP. Critics even suggest that the agency has deliberately targeted XRP while favoring Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Speaking on 60 Minutes, Garlinghouse stressed the need for clear regulations, saying Ripple isn’t asking for deregulation—just for fair, consistent rules to guide the crypto industry.

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Growing Criticism of the SEC

However, it’s not just Musk and Garlinghouse speaking out. Political figures like Senator Mike Lee and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy have also criticized the SEC. Lee has questioned the agency’s trustworthiness, while Ramaswamy highlighted its repeated legal losses as a sign of overreach. Legal experts have also pointed to recent court rulings that suggest the SEC may be stepping beyond its authority, raising questions about its focus and priorities.

On the other hand, Chamath Palihapitiya criticized the SEC for wasting government resources and using legal tactics to target individuals they disagreed with, labelling the behavior as corrupt. He highlighted how only wealthy individuals like Elon Musk can defend themselves against such actions, while others would struggle without similar resources. 

Amid the Ripple vs. SEC drama, discover how the legal battle could impact the market—Read XRP Price Prediction now!

What’s Next for Crypto Regulation?

With SEC Chair Gary Gensler set to step down in January, there’s growing anticipation of a regulatory shift. The Ripple case, combined with mounting public and political pressure, could pave the way for more balanced crypto policies.

With Trump’s new administration on the horizon, the SEC’s future looks more uncertain than ever. Stay tuned!