Brad Garlinghouse Recognizes Ripple’s Chief Legal Officer for Leadership in Crypto Industry
Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, recently took to social media to publicly acknowledge the contributions of Stuart Alderoty, the company’s chief legal officer. Garlinghouse praised Alderoty for his effective leadership and significant role in one of the most crucial court decisions in the crypto industry – the XRP case.
In a National Law Review profile highlighted by Garlinghouse, Alderoty’s pivotal role in Ripple’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was showcased. The case, which began in late 2020, centered around the SEC’s claim that Ripple’s sales of XRP constituted unregistered securities offerings.
Love starting the day seeing my friend @s_alderoty getting the public recognition he deserves for the amazing work he’s done here at Ripple and in support of the crypto industry! https://t.co/ETd4nIz2cu
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) May 15, 2025
Alderoty, who joined Ripple just before the lawsuit, led the company’s defense strategy. He challenged the notion that XRP could be classified as a security, especially in secondary market transactions. After more than three years of litigation, a ruling in mid-2023 confirmed XRP as not being a security on its own, setting a significant precedent in the industry and limiting the SEC’s regulatory authority.
Despite the legal fees exceeding $150 million, Ripple’s victory in the case reshaped how crypto regulation is perceived. As Ripple progresses, Alderoty also continues to advance. Earlier this year, he assumed the role of president at the National Cryptocurrency Association, a group dedicated to reshaping public discourse on cryptocurrency.