Garlinghouse Signals Green Light for Bank XRP Partnerships

Brad Garlinghouse says banks can pursue XRP deals as Clarity Act talks continue, while Coinbase disputes stablecoin provisions.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has signaled that banks can move forward with XRP partnerships as talks around the Clarity Act continue.

He said the door remains “wide open” for financial institutions that engage in good faith.

Garlinghouse made the remarks as debate over U.S. crypto legislation intensified. The proposed Clarity Act has drawn mixed reactions from major industry players and banking groups.

Ripple Opens Door to Banks for XRP Partnerships

Brad Garlinghouse said banks are welcome to pursue XRP partnerships as discussions around the Clarity Act move forward. He stated that institutions must act in “good faith” during negotiations.

He described the opportunity for cooperation as “wide open” after weeks of back-and-forth talks. His comments came as lawmakers reviewed the proposed crypto framework.

🚨BREAKING: CEO of @Ripple – Brad Garlinghouse says that Banks are welcome to make a deal. #XRP pic.twitter.com/8KE8RRlTxy

— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) March 1, 2026

Garlinghouse has taken a pragmatic stance on the legislation. He said regulatory clarity is better than ongoing uncertainty for crypto firms and banks.

He also warned the industry not to let perfection block progress. He indicated that compromise may be necessary to secure workable rules.

Earlier reports stated that White House digital asset advisor Patrick Witt aimed to pass the bill by March 1. That target was not met, and negotiations are still underway.

Garlinghouse recently said the legislation had an 80% chance of passing by the end of April. He maintained that engagement with banks remains a priority.

Industry Divided Over Stablecoin Provisions

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong strongly opposed the Senate draft of the bill. He argued that the proposal was worse than the current regulatory framework.

Armstrong objected to provisions related to stablecoin rewards and yield structures. The draft would prohibit certain reward models linked to stablecoins.

After reviewing the Senate Banking draft text over the last 48hrs, Coinbase unfortunately can’t support the bill as written.

There are too many issues, including:

– A defacto ban on tokenized equities
– DeFi prohibitions, giving the government unlimited access to your financial…

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) January 14, 2026

He said those limits could restrict innovation in the United States. His criticism added pressure to ongoing talks.

As reported earlier, Armstrong rejected the Senate version and called it inferior to the “status quo.” He focused on sections dealing with stablecoin incentives.

Armstrong told CNBC earlier last month that there was a “path forward” for the stablecoin bill. However, he maintained that revisions were required.

The different responses from Ripple and Coinbase have shaped the current debate. While Armstrong pushed for changes, Garlinghouse supported continued negotiation.

Related Reading: Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Sees 90% Odds of Crypto Law by April

Banks Remain Engaged in Legislative Discussions

The American Bankers Association and the Bank Policy Institute are still participating in talks. Both groups are providing input on the legislative draft.

Their involvement shows that traditional banks are monitoring digital asset regulation closely.

Financial institutions have expressed interest in operating under clear rules. Garlinghouse’s comments align with that position.

By stating that banks are welcome, he reinforced Ripple’s readiness for institutional XRP partnerships.

The Clarity Act seeks to define oversight for digital assets and stablecoins. Lawmakers are working to address industry concerns while maintaining regulatory standards.

There is concern that the legislation could stall if disagreements persist. Stablecoin reward provisions remain a central point of debate.

Despite these differences, discussions continue among lawmakers, crypto companies, and banking representatives.

Each side is working toward adjustments that support their objectives. The outcome of these negotiations will determine how XRP and related services operate in the United States.

For now, Garlinghouse has signaled a green light for bank XRP partnerships under the proposed framework.