• Ripple’s $5 million donation to Trump’s inaugural committee secured a private dinner with the president-elect.
• Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson emphasizes the need for bipartisan policy change over high-profile engagements.
• Ripple’s financial support for Trump aligns with its efforts to influence crypto regulation

Ripple secured a dinner with President Donald Trump before his inauguration, with Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson revealing the company’s substantial financial investment to obtain this opportunity.

Hoskinson, who chose not to attend Trump’s inauguration, made the comment following Ripple’s $5 million XRP pledge to Trump’s inaugural committee in December, followed by a dinner on Tuesday night.

Hoskinson Prioritizes Hydra Doom Tournament 

The topic surfaced when USDM CEO Jillian Plomin posted an X poll about attending the Hydra Doom tournament in Las Vegas, jokingly asking about dress code.

Charles Hoskinson chimed in, saying, “I mean, I am skipping the presidential inauguration for it…” Meanwhile, an X user asked if his absence was due to not being invited. 

Hoskinson clarified that he would send a team of ten to the event, noting he prefers private meetings with policymakers for blockchain regulation discussions when needed.

He then disclosed Ripple’s $5 million payment for the Trump dinner. Notably, this sum referred to Ripple’s earlier contribution to Trump’s inauguration team.

Ripple’s Strategic $5M XRP Contribution

In December 2024, Ripple pledged $5 million in XRP to Trump’s inaugural committee, which funds events like parades, galas, and others.

Yesterday, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty attended a private dinner with Trump, which Garlinghouse highlighted as a great start to 2025 on X.

Ripple’s donation and its executives’ participation in the dinner align with the company’s efforts to influence regulatory policy under the new administration. 

Meanwhile, during the presidential election, Stuart Alderoty also sent 624,000 XRP ($300,000) to a pro-Trump Super PAC, strengthening Ripple’s financial backing of Trump’s campaign.

However, Hoskinson believes these financial efforts helped Ripple secure the private dinner with the president-elect. His comments emphasize his belief in having meaningful bipartisan policy changes rather than relying on high-profile engagements. 

“I’m not looking for a photo. I’m looking for meaningful, bipartisan policy change,” he said.

Crypto Industry Backs Trump Campaign Inauguration with $200M Donation 

Notably, the crypto sector contributed over $200 million to Trump’s campaign and inauguration, betting on his promise of lighter regulations compared to President Biden’s approach. Ripple’s high-profile moves showcase one method to influence U.S. crypto policy.