Brad Garlinghouse Rallies Crypto Industry Leaders Against Coinbase on Market Structure Bill

The crypto sector faces a significant fault line over the future of digital asset regulation. While Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has signaled his withdrawal from supporting the Crypto Markets Structure Act (CLARITY), citing concerns about a “bad bill,” a coalition of major industry figures including Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, a16z’s Chris Dixon, and White House Special Advisor on AI and Cryptocurrency David Sacks are pushing back hard. These leaders argue that abandoning years of bipartisan legislative work would be strategically damaging to the entire industry.

Brad Garlinghouse and the Case for Legislative Persistence

Brad Garlinghouse’s position reflects a broader sentiment among industry veterans: abandoning the negotiating table now would be shortsighted. Rather than walking away from CLARITY, Garlinghouse and his allies contend that outstanding issues should be resolved through continued dialogue rather than legislative withdrawal. The Ripple CEO joins Chris Dixon and other prominent voices in urging stakeholders to bridge their differences by month’s end. This isn’t merely about compromise—it’s about maintaining momentum on what many view as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for regulatory clarity.

Why the Industry Fears Legislative Failure

Seth Hertlein, Global Head of Policy at Ledger, articulated a concern that resonates across the sector: the current political environment may represent the last realistic window for favorable crypto regulation. Industry insiders worry that if CLARITY stalls now, future legislative efforts could either stall indefinitely or proceed under far more restrictive conditions. The concern extends beyond immediate policy—regulators and exchanges fear that software availability and content distribution rights could shift dramatically with each change of administration. Brad Garlinghouse and his peer group view the present moment as genuinely critical.

The Path Forward: Unity or Fragmentation

The fundamental disagreement centers on whether tactical retreats serve long-term interests. Armstrong’s camp suggests holding out for perfection; Garlinghouse’s coalition argues that perfection is the enemy of progress. With the January deadline looming, the crypto industry faces a defining test: can it maintain unified leverage with policymakers, or will internal divisions fracture its negotiating power? Brad Garlinghouse’s continued advocacy signals that despite the split, many industry leaders remain committed to making CLARITY work before the legislative window closes entirely.