Ripple CEO Suggests XRP Sales Could Slow Down: What’s Behind the Potential Move?

In a recent interview with Bloomberg’s Sonali Basak, Garlinghouse addressed the continuous criticism Ripple faces regarding its large XRP holdings and sales practices. Critics often argue that Ripple either holds too much XRP or sells too much into the market, creating downward pressure on the token’s price.

“There’s always criticism,” Garlinghouse said. “If we hold too much, we get criticized. If we sell some, we still get criticized.” He described this ongoing scrutiny as a frustrating balancing act but acknowledged that Ripple might eventually scale back XRP sales.

XRP’s Deflationary Supply Adds Complexity

Garlinghouse also shed light on XRP’s unique supply dynamics, describing it as a “slightly deflationary” asset. XRP’s supply, which initially totaled 100 billion tokens, has gradually decreased to about 99.9 billion due to coin burns and network activity.

Ripple currently controls around 42% of the total supply — a fact that often raises concerns about centralized control. However, Garlinghouse argued that XRP’s deflationary nature counters fears of oversupply and positions XRP as a long-term utility token rather than just a speculative asset.

Legal Wins Strengthen Ripple’s Position

The conversation also touched on Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Recently, the SEC dropped its appeal against Ripple, a significant victory for the company after years of courtroom clashes.

This legal development not only boosts Ripple’s confidence but also gives the company breathing room to refocus on strategy. Garlinghouse described the moment as a shift in momentum, saying, “It’s a different feeling when you’re on the offense rather than playing defense.”

While Ripple celebrates the SEC’s retreat, the company is still pursuing its own cross-appeal, signaling that legal challenges are not entirely over. Nevertheless, Garlinghouse appeared optimistic about Ripple’s future direction, especially with regulatory clarity slowly emerging.

What’s Next for Ripple and XRP?

Looking ahead, Ripple seems ready to chart a new course, potentially reducing its XRP sales to ease market concerns and demonstrate long-term confidence in the token’s value. With the SEC case winding down and Ripple’s position strengthening, the company could adopt a more aggressive growth strategy, shifting from defense to offense.

For XRP holders and the broader crypto market, a cutback in sales might boost investor confidence and ease fears of excess token dumping. However, whether Ripple follows through on this plan remains to be seen.

As Ripple regains control of its narrative, Garlinghouse’s comments mark a turning point — signaling that the company is ready to make bold moves to protect XRP’s value and cement its role in the evolving crypto landscape.