When did Monica Long become Ripple President?
Last updated:
Monica Long was promoted to President of Ripple Labs in May 2023, during a pivotal moment following Ripple's significant legal victory against the SEC.
Exact Timeline:
May 2023: Announced as President of Ripple Labs
July 13, 2023: Two months after promotion, Judge Torres ruled XRP is not a security in secondary markets
Timing Significance: The promotion came during the final months of the SEC lawsuit, demonstrating Ripple's confidence and commitment to internal leadership development despite ongoing litigation.
Context of Promotion:
Why Spring 2023?
Ripple's leadership restructuring reflected several factors:
1. Scale and Complexity: Ripple had grown to 300+ employees globally with multiple product lines (RippleNet, ODL, RLUSD) 2. CEO Bandwidth: Brad Garlinghouse was heavily occupied with SEC lawsuit, investor relations, and external partnerships 3. Operational Need: Company needed dedicated operational leadership while Garlinghouse focused on strategy and legal matters 4. Succession Planning: Clear executive structure prepared Ripple for future leadership transitions 5. Maturity Signal: Traditional President role signaled Ripple's evolution from startup to established enterprise
What Changed with Promotion:
Before (as CMO): - Led marketing, brand, communications - Reported to CEO - Focused primarily on external positioning
After (as President): - Oversees product, engineering, operations, AND marketing - Second-in-command across all functions - Responsible for execution of company-wide strategy - Manages cross-functional initiatives - Represents Ripple in major partnerships
Announcement Details:
Ripple's announcement emphasized: - Long's decade of commitment (since 2014) - Her role in building Ripple's brand and customer relationships - Broader operational responsibilities in new role - Continued reporting to CEO Brad Garlinghouse
Reaction:
Internal: Largely positive; Long was well-respected and promotion seen as earned
Industry: Noted as signal of stability and maturity during lawsuit
XRP Community: Mixed; some praised internal promotion, others wanted external senior hire
Other Leadership Changes at Same Time:
The May 2023 promotion was part of broader restructuring: - Various VP promotions - New department heads announced - Organizational chart formalized with clear reporting lines - Preparation for post-lawsuit growth phase
Comparison to Industry Timing:
Monica Long's promotion to President came during a unique period:
Cryptocurrency Context (2023): - FTX had collapsed (November 2022) - Crypto winter was ongoing - Regulatory scrutiny was intense - Many companies were laying off, not promoting
Ripple's Countercyclical Move: Promoting Long signaled confidence and investment in leadership despite market conditions.
First Year Accomplishments (May 2023-May 2024):
In her first year as President, Long oversaw:
1. Legal Victory (July 2023): Company operations during and after SEC ruling 2. RLUSD Development: Stablecoin launch preparation and execution 3. ODL Expansion: New corridors in Middle East and Asia 4. Partnership Growth: Major new financial institution partnerships 5. Team Scaling: Resumed hiring after lawsuit uncertainty
Relevance to CEO Succession:
The President role (created in May 2023) is widely seen as grooming Monica Long for eventual CEO succession:
Scenario 1: Garlinghouse steps down in 3-5 years (2026-2028), Long becomes CEO
Scenario 2: Garlinghouse remains CEO indefinitely, Long continues as President managing operations
Scenario 3: Ripple IPO or acquisition triggers leadership changes
Regardless, the promotion positioned Long as the clear #2 executive and internal successor candidate.
How It Compares to Other Crypto Companies:
Few major cryptocurrency companies have formal President roles:
Coinbase: Brian Armstrong (CEO), Emilie Choi (President & COO) - similar structure
Binance: Had co-founders; He Yi remains as co-founder after CZ's resignation
Ethereum: No traditional corporate structure
Kraken: Jesse Powell stepped down as CEO, no President role
Ripple's traditional corporate structure is notable in an industry that often eschews hierarchy.
Long's Own Comments:
In interviews following her promotion, Monica Long stated: - "I'm honored to take on expanded responsibilities at this critical time" - "We're building for the long term, not just the next bull market" - "My focus is ensuring we execute on our strategy across all functions"
Bottom Line:
Monica Long became President of Ripple in May 2023, marking a pivotal evolution in Ripple's leadership structure. The timing—just before the SEC legal victory—demonstrated Ripple's confidence and commitment to long-term institutional development. Nearly three years later (as of February 2026), Long's role continues to expand as Ripple enters its post-lawsuit growth phase.
*Last updated: February 2026*