Brad Garlinghouse Rejects Rumors of Ripple-Circle Acquisition Deal

Brad Garlinghouse has flatly denied that Ripple ever attempted to acquire Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, shutting down weeks of speculation about a potential $5 billion deal.

Speaking at the XRP Las Vegas event alongside law professor Chris Brummer, Garlinghouse was clear: Ripple had no interest in buying Circle.

While some in the audience speculated about different price points, Brummer emphasized that Garlinghouse wasn’t entertaining any version of an acquisition, regardless of the figure.

The denial comes in response to a series of unverified reports, including one that claimed Ripple floated a $20 billion offer that Circle turned down. These rumors emerged as Ripple ramps up its stablecoin ambitions with RLUSD—a USD-backed asset designed to run on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum.

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Analysts had theorized that absorbing Circle would fast-track Ripple’s position in the stablecoin race. However, Garlinghouse’s remarks suggest the company plans to scale through its own products rather than through high-profile acquisitions.

As Ripple pushes forward with RLUSD and other ventures, the Circle chatter appears to be just that—chatter.

Alexander Stefanov

With over 8 years of experience in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, Alexander is a seasoned content creator and market analyst dedicated to making digital assets more accessible and understandable. He specializes in breaking down complex crypto trends, analyzing market movements, and producing insightful content aimed at educating both newcomers and seasoned investors. Alexander has built a reputation for delivering timely and accurate analysis, while keeping a close eye on regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and macroeconomic trends that shape the future of digital finance. His work is rooted in a passion for innovation and a firm belief that widespread education is key to accelerating global crypto adoption.