Ripple, aimed at bolstering its presence in the United States amid an ongoing legal battle, has appointed Lauren Belive as its Head of U.S. Public Policy and Government. The former official with the White House’s Office of Legislative Affairs and policy director with the United States House Committee on Rules shared her new role in a LinkedIn post on September 26.
In her statement, Belive expressed her enthusiasm for her new role:
I am thrilled to share that I have taken on a new challenge as the Head of U.S. Public Policy and Government at Ripple. In a time where technology meets finance, Ripple stands at the forefront of revolutionizing the cross-border payments sector. As we navigate this transformative journey, engagement is pivotal.
Belive also outlined her role’s core responsibilities, including leading Ripple’s engagement efforts in Washington and nationally. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that Ripple actively contributes to ongoing discussions surrounding the crypto industry and fosters policies that support the sector and benefit individuals and businesses looking to leverage these advancements.
In her closing remarks, Belive expressed her gratitude and excitement to collaborate with Robert Grant and the Ripple team, highlighting the strong leadership and vision within the company.
Ripple Chief Legal Officer’s Response to Gensler’s Testimony
Meanwhile, today, SEC Chair Gary Gensler is scheduled to provide testimony before the Financial Services Committee on Capitol Hill. His appearance is part of the Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission hearing. U.S. lawmakers are expected to pose tough questions to Gensler during this hearing, particularly concerning the SEC’s motion for an interlocutory appeal.
The ongoing deliberation on this motion is being carried out by Judge Analisa Torres. A ruling is expected to be announced soon. Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer, has offered his perspective on Gensler’s pre-drafted testimony. He asserts that Gensler intends to make misleading statements before Congress.
Specifically, Alderoty mentioned Gensler’s intention to claim a “crypto asset securities market” and assert that tokens constitute investment contracts. In response, Alderoty referenced a line from the Court’s decision on July 13, 2023, regarding the Ripple case, which stated:
XRP, as a digital token, is not in and of itself a ‘contract, transaction[,], or scheme’ that embodies the Howey requirements of an investment contract.”
However, Believe’s appointment at Ripple and the ongoing developments in the XRP case are continuously shaping the regulatory landscape of the cryptocurrency industry and influencing its interactions with the SEC.
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