Ripple CEO Spotted at Trump Inauguration Candlelight Dinner

Members of the XRP Army spotted the Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse at Donald Trump’s inauguration eve dinner.

On January 19, Trump’s transition team hosted an exclusive candlelight dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., the night before Trump’s inauguration, which is unfolding today.

Among the dignitaries present at the event were executives from Ripple, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse and CLO Stuart Alderoty. Vice President-elect James David Vance exchanged pleasantries with Ripple’s executives upon his entrance.

Shortly thereafter, Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, took the stage and delivered a speech.

Wait for it… ⁦@bgarlinghouse⁩ ⁦@s_alderoty⁩ #XRP pic.twitter.com/W2HCdGM3l0

— Digital Asset Investor (@digitalassetbuy) January 20, 2025

Trump’s Speech at Dinner Night

At the Inauguration Candlelight Dinner, President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to his supporters. He highlighted the importance of the upcoming day, calling it a turning point in American history.

Trump praised the diverse political coalition that helped him win, including African Americans, Hispanics, and union members. He also thanked key individuals such as his wife Melania, Vice President-elect JD Vance, Laura Trump, and other political figures for their support and contributions.

He promised swift action upon taking office. They include reversing Biden administration policies, addressing border security, tackling inflation, and focusing on energy independence.

A significant part of his speech was the announcement that he would sign close to 100 executive orders upon taking office, many of which would be outlined in his address. He emphasized that the Trump administration would waste no time in fulfilling its promises to the American people.

Crypto Industry Eyes on Trump’s Executive Orders

Members of the crypto community are closely watching these executive orders. Early speculation suggested that the establishment of a Bitcoin reserve could be part of them.

As previously reported, Trump might issue an executive order prioritizing cryptocurrency at a national level. This could involve designating crypto as a strategic sector, creating a crypto advisory council, and formalizing the U.S. government’s nearly $20 billion Bitcoin holdings into a national reserve.

Fred Krueger, a Stanford PhD holder, is confident that Trump will announce the creation of a Bitcoin strategic reserve today. He believes this move aligns with Trump’s broader priorities, and delaying the announcement could create political challenges.

Krueger suggests that the reserve would resonate with key donors and industry stakeholders, making it a timely and strategic decision.

Reserve with XRP?

It is worth recalling that Ripple’s executives also met with Trump at a private dinner earlier this month, sparking speculation about “something massive in the works for XRP.”

Indeed, just a week later, news emerged that Trump is open to the idea of establishing a crypto reserve using assets of American origin like XRP.