Ripple’s Global Co-Head of Policy, Lauren Belive, has shared fresh insights into the company’s enduring legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — and Ripple’s broader efforts to shape a more crypto-supportive policy environment in the United States.
Speaking in Ripple’s short-form video series “Crypto in One Minute,” Belive emphasized the value of being present and engaged in conversations with lawmakers and regulators. “Decisions are made by those who show up,” she said, quoting the iconic political drama The West Wing — a phrase that, for Ripple, has become a rallying call.
In her view, active participation in regulatory discussions is essential if the crypto industry hopes to build a fair and forward-looking framework for digital assets. And Ripple, she added, has done just that — showing up consistently even during some of the most challenging times for the industry.
Back in 2024, Ripple was still locked in a courtroom battle with the SEC, a lawsuit originally filed in late 2020 under former SEC Chair Jay Clayton. The enforcement action, which questioned whether XRP should be classified as a security, continued into Gary Gensler’s term, during which the agency ramped up its scrutiny of the broader crypto sector. Gensler’s leadership saw more than 100 enforcement actions targeting various crypto projects, exchanges, and platforms.
Throughout that period, Ripple did not back down. Instead, the company positioned itself not only as a defendant but as an advocate — urging regulators to consider policies that would encourage innovation rather than stifle it. Belive’s comments suggest Ripple’s involvement may have helped influence Washington’s eventual shift toward a more crypto-friendly direction.
That shift came to light more recently with the appointment of Paul S. Atkins as the new SEC Chair — a known advocate for balanced and pro-innovation financial regulation. Under Atkins’ leadership, Ripple and the SEC finally reached a settlement, bringing an end to a years-long legal saga that had, for many, become symbolic of the crypto industry’s clash with outdated regulatory frameworks.
Ripple believes that its fight wasn’t just about defending its own interests, but about setting precedent and paving the way for future growth in the U.S. crypto space. Belive’s message makes it clear: the company sees education, policy engagement, and persistence as critical tools for pushing digital assets into the mainstream.
As the regulatory conversation continues to evolve, Ripple appears committed to staying at the table — not just reacting to decisions but helping shape them.
