The era of major U.S. banks sitting on the sidelines of the digital asset market is coming to an end.
According to Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, the industry is reaching a critical turning point where traditional financial giants are finally ready to embrace blockchain technology.
Speaking with Fox Business on Friday, March 27, Garlinghouse noted that a significant shift in attitude is happening across Wall Street.
He credited leaders like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink for stepping forward and acknowledging the “real technology value” of these systems.
“I’ll give Larry Fink and Blackrock credit, he was one of the first really senior well-respected leaders to step forward and say “No, I do see real value in… real technology value to how these technologies can be applied.” So we are seeing a shift from JPMorgan. We’re seeing people start to be more exploratory,” Brad Garlinghouse said.
This endorsement has encouraged other institutions, including JPMorgan, to become more exploratory regarding digital assets.
Related: Ripple to test XRP Ledger and RLUSD in trade settlements
The primary hurdle for banks has been a lack of legal certainty.
However, the much-anticipated CLARITY Act aims to provide the permanent framework these institutions need.
Garlinghouse explained that codifying these rules into law is the ultimate “unlock” for banks that have been fearful of a “future Gary Gensler” or a return to “lawfare” and aggressive regulation.
While Garlinghouse previously expected the CLARITY Act to be signed by the end of April, he has updated his timeline to the end of May. Despite the delay, he remains optimistic.
“If we get it codified into law, I think you’ll see more of the largest financial institutions in the United States and really the world lean in more to this industry,” he said.
This institutional interest is being driven by corporate boards and CFOs who are demanding more efficient ways to move money.
Garlinghouse described stablecoins as the “ChatGPT moment” of finance, noting that $33 trillion in stablecoin trades occurred last year.
Traditional payment “rails” can take three to five days and carry high friction, while stablecoins allow for settlements in just one minute, any time of day.
