A prominent crypto lawyer, John Deaton, recently compared Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse to the late Apple founder, Steve Jobs. Deaton, a strong supporter of XRP holders during Ripple’s legal battles, made the comparison on social media.
A High-Profile Comparison
When asked who in the crypto world could be likened to Steve Jobs, Deaton named both Garlinghouse and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. He didn’t detail his reasoning, but it’s implied that both CEOs have shown strong leadership during difficult legal challenges and have actively pushed for clearer crypto regulations.
Strong Alliances and Political Involvement
Deaton’s support for Garlinghouse stems from their shared experience during Ripple’s lawsuit against the SEC. Deaton even filed a legal brief supporting XRP holders. Interestingly, Garlinghouse publicly endorsed Deaton’s Senate campaign against Elizabeth Warren. Coinbase’s Armstrong also supported Deaton’s campaign. Both Garlinghouse and Armstrong have faced off against the SEC and are now heavily involved in shaping crypto policy through business and political means. Their companies also contributed to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, highlighting their growing influence in Washington.
Adding Another Contender to the List
Later, Deaton added Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev to his “Steve Jobs of Crypto” shortlist after receiving feedback. One user pointed out that Ripple hasn’t yet achieved a strong product-market fit and lacks the clear direction to compete with other fintech giants. While acknowledging Ripple’s potential, the user highlighted concerns about its business model.
Ripple’s Continued Growth
Despite the criticism, Ripple is forging ahead. They recently announced plans for RLUSD, a stablecoin aimed at improving international money transfers, a market estimated at $685 billion. Ripple sees this as a major opportunity to expand its global payment services.