SALT has officially announced that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse will speak at the third annual Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, taking place August 17–20, 2026, at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Jackson Hole. The invitation-only gathering is expected to convene roughly 500 select investors, developers, and policymakers. Co-hosted by SALT and Kraken, the event is organized with technical and academic support from the University of Wyoming Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation alongside the Blockchain Association.
While Garlinghouse’s addition to the official schedule is confirmed, event organizers have not yet released his specific session title, time slot, or potential discussion partners. He joins a roster of prominent speakers that includes SEC Chair Paul Atkins, Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Senator Ruben Gallego, and Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould. Other major industry figures appearing include Galaxy founder Michael Novogratz, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, Stellar Development Foundation CEO Denelle Dixon, and Custodia Bank founder Caitlin Long.
Policy and Market Structure Take Priority
The four-day symposium opens with a welcome reception on August 17, followed by two core days of keynotes and breakout discussions on August 18 and 19, concluding with networking excursions on August 20. Key themes across the agenda focus on shifting US and global regulatory frameworks, digital asset investment strategies, decentralized artificial intelligence, Bitcoin’s role as a store of value, and the evolving structure of financial markets.
US legislative policy is expected to dominate the proceedings. Garlinghouse has consistently advocated for federal clarity, pushing Congress to pass the CLARITY Act to establish a comprehensive market structure for digital assets. Alongside Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty, Ripple’s public policy advocacy centers on clear regulatory classifications for XRP, stablecoin frameworks, and expanding institutional access to blockchain-backed payment networks.
Strategic Academic and Regional Connections
Ripple’s involvement in the symposium extends beyond corporate sponsorship. The company maintains an ongoing relationship with the University of Wyoming, an academic partner of the event. Funding provided by Ripple in 2022 helped establish the university’s Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory to advance research across engineering, business, and law programs. The university also operates an active validator on the XRP Ledger. Furthermore, the University of Wyoming remains part of Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative, receiving grant support distributed via the RLUSD stablecoin.
The event’s location highlights Wyoming’s growing position as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction. The state launched FRNT, a state-issued dollar stablecoin deployed on Solana, in January 2026. Placing Ripple executives alongside state and federal regulators provides a collaborative backdrop as the industry works toward unified operational standards. Organizers note that the event agenda will continue to expand in the coming weeks ahead of the opening sessions.
