- Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen has donated $1 million in XRP to Presidential candidate Kamala Harris after publicly endorsing her.
- Larsen’s donation comes as Ripple is set to continue its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the regulatory status of XRP.
- Cryptocurrencies have become a prominent issue in the 2024 presidential election, with both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris addressing the growing industry during their campaigns.
Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen has donated $1 million in XRP to Presidential candidate Kamala Harris after publicly endorsing her. This article provides background on the donation, Larsen’s history with Ripple, and Harris’ evolving stance on cryptocurrencies.
Larsen’s Donation Follows Public Endorsement
In September, Larsen was among 88 executives who signed a public letter endorsing Harris for president. He has now donated over $19 million total to her campaign, according to CNBC.
The donation comes as Ripple continues its legal battle with the SEC. Both sides have filed appeals after a final judgment in August. They seem set to continue the conflict that began in 2020.
Larsen’s History as Ripple Co-Founder
Larsen co-founded Ripple as OpenCoin in 2012. In 2016, he stepped down as CEO, replaced by current head Brad Garlinghouse. However, Larsen has remained the company’s executive chairman.
Harris Shifts Stance on Cryptocurrencies
This year marked the first time cryptos became a major issue in a presidential campaign. In September, Harris released a policy document signaling support for “innovative technologies like crypto.” This contrasted Trump’s consistently pro-crypto approach.
The donation of $1 million in XRP from Larsen to Harris provides an interesting intersection of cryptocurrency and national politics. As the legal battle between Ripple and the SEC continues, it will be worth watching to see if Harris’ stance on crypto evolves further.
