Ripple pushes back on crypto's 'young men' image: 67 million US holders

Ripple's Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty pushed back on a Wall Street Journal editorial that referred to supporters of crypto regulation as "the crypto boys." As U.Today reports, Alderoty argued the industry's actual user base is far more diverse than critics assume: "They're teachers, construction workers, veterans, nurses, parents, and small business owners." By his figures, roughly 67 million Americans hold crypto, about a third of them women, with more holders over 55 than under 25.

“They're teachers, construction workers, veterans, nurses, parents, and small business owners.”

— Stuart Alderoty, Ripple Chief Legal Officer

Blockchain Association CEO Ji Kim called the WSJ editorial's framing "factually and legally inaccurate." But broad ownership doesn't translate into political support: a poll by Democratic research firm Normington Petts, obtained by Semafor, found that 84% of Democratic primary voters view crypto-industry-backed candidates unfavorably — worse than how the party's base views oil companies, Wall Street banks, or data centers.

• ~67 million Americans hold crypto, roughly a third of them women
• More holders are over 55 than under 25
• 84% of Democratic primary voters view crypto-industry-backed candidates unfavorably

The dispute plays out against a backdrop we've covered before: the CLARITY Act Senate vote was just pushed to September, while Ripple itself keeps expanding its regulatory footprint — it recently secured a full CASP licence in Luxembourg under MiCA.

This piece is informational, not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any asset.