Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and SEC Chair Gary Gensler are among the headlining speakers at the upcoming DC Fintech Week, a major event for the crypto industry. The event comes amid the ongoing legal dispute between Ripple and the SEC over the status of XRP.
DC Fintech Week, a leading conference that brings together regulators, entrepreneurs, academics, and technologists to discuss the future of finance and fintech, has announced its list of headlining speakers for its 2023 edition.
Among them are Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and SEC Chair Gary Gensler, two prominent figures in the crypto space who are currently involved in a high-stakes legal battle over the nature of XRP, the cryptocurrency created by Ripple.
The announcement, made by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), one of the co-hosts of the event, has sparked excitement and anticipation among crypto enthusiasts, who are hoping to witness some engaging and insightful discussions between the two leaders.
The event will take place from November 6 to November 9 and will cover various topics related to fintech, such as generative AI, payments and banking, digital assets, and cybersecurity.
The presence of Garlinghouse and Gensler at the same event is especially noteworthy, given the ongoing lawsuit between Ripple and the SEC, which started in 2020.
The SEC accused Ripple of selling XRP in an unregistered securities offering, raising more than $1.3 billion from investors in the U.S. and worldwide.
Ripple, on the other hand, argued that XRP is not a security but a currency and that the SEC failed to provide clear guidance on the matter.
The lawsuit has been one of the most significant and controversial cases in the crypto industry, as it could have far-reaching implications for the regulation and innovation of digital assets.
In July 2023, the court ruled that XRP is not a security when sold to the public on an exchange, but it is when sold to institutional investors, creating a mixed outcome for both parties.
In October 2023, the SEC voluntarily dismissed its claims against Garlinghouse and Larsen, the co-founder and executive chairman of Ripple, leaving the core issue of XRP’s status unresolved.
The crypto community has reacted with curiosity and humor to the news of Garlinghouse and Gensler’s participation in DC Fintech Week, with some speculating that they may cross paths or even debate during the event.
Some X users have also suggested that John E. Deaton, a lawyer who represents thousands of XRP holders in the lawsuit, should moderate the event and ask questions to the speakers.
Deaton tweeted: “BIS should let me moderate this event, allowing me to ask questions. I guarantee you it would get the eyeballs.”
DC Fintech Week 2023 promises to be a major event for the crypto industry, as it will feature some of the most influential and knowledgeable speakers in the field, including Garlinghouse and Gensler.
The event will also provide an opportunity for dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, such as regulators, innovators, academics, and technologists, who share a common interest in the future of finance and fintech.
