TLDR
- Ripple CEO forecasts an 80% chance of the CLARITY Act passing by April 2026.
- The CLARITY Act is designed to provide legal clarity for the cryptocurrency industry.
- Ripple advocates for the CLARITY Act after a lengthy battle with the SEC.
- The legislation remains stuck in committee, but high-level talks continue.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has expressed strong optimism about the legal landscape for the crypto industry. He believes there is an 80% chance that the CLARITY Act will pass by the end of April 2026. The legislation aims to provide clearer regulations for digital assets, which has been a long-standing issue within the U.S. regulatory environment.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains optimistic about the Clarity Act, giving it an 👀 80% chance of being signed by the end of April. 🏛️
While XRP has its legal clarity, the rest of the industry is still waiting. Progress over perfection is the goal. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/7DqQezE3U2
— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) February 16, 2026
Garlinghouse’s comments are particularly significant because they come after a series of legal challenges for Ripple. The company has been involved in an ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the classification of its token, XRP. Although Ripple recently secured a favorable ruling from a federal judge that XRP is not a security, the broader regulatory environment remains uncertain.
CLARITY Act Faces Senate Deadlock
The CLARITY Act, designed to establish clearer guidelines for cryptocurrencies, has faced hurdles in the Senate Banking Committee. Despite being close to passing, the bill encountered opposition, notably from major crypto exchange Coinbase.
The company withdrew its support for the bill due to disagreements over key provisions, including stablecoin yield regulation. This deadlock has left the legislation stalled in the committee since January.
Despite this setback, Garlinghouse remains hopeful that a compromise can be reached. He emphasized the need for the industry to support a bill that provides clarity, even if it is not perfect. “Let’s not let perfection get in the way of progress,” he said, urging stakeholders to accept a workable solution.
Ripple’s Advocacy for the CLARITY Act
Ripple has long been a proponent of the CLARITY Act. The company’s legal battles with the SEC have highlighted the need for clearer guidelines for the digital asset space. Ripple’s CEO has expressed that the legal uncertainty has been a significant challenge for the entire industry.
Garlinghouse noted that while Ripple has achieved some clarity in its legal case, many companies in the crypto sector still face unclear regulatory frameworks. The CLARITY Act would address these issues by offering comprehensive regulations for digital assets and related activities, providing much-needed certainty.
Ripple’s push for the bill underscores the company’s desire for a stable and predictable regulatory environment. This is particularly important for Ripple, as the company’s fortunes are closely tied to the overall health of the cryptocurrency market.
Negotiations Intensify for CLARITY Act Approval
Although the CLARITY Act remains stuck in committee, discussions continue at high levels to break the deadlock. The U.S. administration has shown increasing pressure to finalize a regulatory framework before the 2026 midterm elections. This urgency has prompted further negotiations between banking and crypto leaders, aiming to resolve outstanding issues and move the legislation forward.
Ripple’s involvement in these talks, including participation in a summit at the White House, shows the company’s active role in advocating for a regulatory framework that benefits the entire industry. While progress has been slow, the momentum is building, with hopes that a breakthrough will occur before the spring recess.
Garlinghouse’s prediction of an 80% chance for the CLARITY Act’s passage reflects the growing optimism that a resolution is near. With increased pressure from the administration and ongoing negotiations, the chances of passing the bill by April 2026 are looking promising.





