In a recent public discussion at the XRP Apex event, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made a surprising and playful comment about meme coins, a category of cryptocurrencies often viewed with skepticism by industry veterans. When asked about his experience with meme coins, Garlinghouse admitted, “I’ve never purchased a meme coin… Maybe today’s the day.” This sparked curiosity among attendees and the wider crypto community.
The conversation took an interesting turn when Monica Long, Ripple’s President, mentioned a specific meme coin called “All the Money XRP,” abbreviated as $ATM within the XRP community. Garlinghouse responded with a smile, saying that if he were to buy a meme coin, it would be this particular $ATM token. This offhand remark, though made in jest, has drawn significant attention because $ATM is closely linked to the XRP ecosystem and has been gaining traction, including plans for integration into virtual environments like the xSPECTARVERSE.
While this mention has been interpreted by some as a subtle endorsement, Ripple has not issued any official statement confirming support or affiliation with the $ATM meme coin or its projects. The executives’ lighthearted exchange, however, has amplified interest in $ATM and highlighted the cultural influence meme coins hold even among established crypto leaders focused on enterprise blockchain solutions.
Garlinghouse has previously expressed skepticism about meme coins, describing them as “grossly overrated” and driven by hype cycles that can undermine the credibility of the crypto industry. He acknowledged misjudging Dogecoin in the past, noting how Elon Musk’s backing helped embed it into mainstream crypto conversations. Despite this, Ripple’s strategic focus remains on building sustainable, real-world applications for XRP, rather than speculative assets.
The playful mention of $ATM at a major industry event underscores the evolving relationship between serious crypto projects and meme culture, reflecting how community-driven tokens can capture attention and spark dialogue even among top executives.
