Ripple Under Fire as Political Tensions Mount Over XRP

Ripple is once again in the spotlight, but this time it’s not just regulators turning up the heat. A sharp wave of criticism has emerged from within U.S. political circles, as Will Cole—son-in-law of Senator Cynthia Lummis—unleashed a scathing attack on XRP, calling it a “centralized joke of a scam” and accusing Ripple’s leadership of greed and dishonesty.

Cole’s remarks, which reignited long-standing skepticism about the legitimacy of XRP, arrived at a particularly sensitive time. Ripple is still navigating legal battles with the SEC, and now it finds itself navigating political crossfire as well. Cole claimed Ripple’s alleged securities fraud is just the beginning, and he warned investors to steer clear of what he believes is a misleading project propped up by hype.

The fallout may already be affecting Ripple’s access to lawmakers. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse had been scheduled to meet with Senator Cynthia Lummis—one of the most influential figures in digital asset legislation—as part of ongoing efforts to shape crypto regulation. However, Lummis abruptly canceled the meeting and has yet to reschedule. Legal expert Bill Morgan suggested that Cole’s outspoken views may have influenced Lummis’ decision, as any public association with Garlinghouse could trigger accusations of favoritism or ethical conflict.

Lummis, a known Bitcoin supporter and head of the Senate Digital Assets Subcommittee, has drawn criticism from some in the crypto community for what they see as selective support of Bitcoin at the expense of other digital assets. Bitcoin advocates, however, have applauded her stance. Troy Cross praised her for “keeping the scammers at bay,” while others accused Ripple of promoting a centralized narrative under the guise of decentralization.

Ripple’s detractors didn’t stop with Cole. Pierre Rochard, CEO of Catholic Bitcoin, joined in the criticism, calling XRP a “fake token” designed to exploit retail investors. He also slammed Garlinghouse for supporting central bank digital currencies and attacking Bitcoin, labeling his actions immature and unhelpful to the industry.

The backlash even extended to the national stage. Following former President Trump’s proposal to establish a U.S. crypto reserve—one that included XRP among other altcoins—JAN3 CEO Samson Mow denounced the idea as “hypershitcoinization,” accusing it of enriching project founders rather than serving the public good.

As the debate rages on, Ripple finds itself increasingly isolated from influential policymakers and key crypto figures alike. The controversy highlights the deep ideological divide within the crypto space and underscores just how politically charged digital asset advocacy has become. Whether Ripple can mend these relationships—or whether XRP continues to face resistance from both regulators and rival camps—remains to be seen.