Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has thrown his full support behind crypto advocate John Deaton in a high-stakes Senate race against Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. The endorsement, announced via a social media post on Oct. 22, has sparked conversation within the crypto community, with Garlinghouse praising Deaton’s dedication to defending the interests of XRP holders and the wider cryptocurrency industry.

Garlinghouse’s backing isn’t a surprise to many, as Ripple has played a significant financial role in supporting Deaton’s campaign. Ripple executives, including co-founder Chris Larsen and legal chief Stuart Alderoty, have donated to Deaton’s political efforts, while the company has also contributed to the Commonwealth Unity Fund PAC. This group actively supports Deaton and counters Senator Warren’s stance through strategic media efforts.

The Senate race is shaping up to be a critical battleground for crypto regulation. In recent debates, Senator Warren accused Deaton of being overly influenced by the cryptocurrency industry, while Deaton criticized Warren for prioritizing crypto regulations over broader national issues like immigration and the economy. Warren has been a vocal critic of cryptocurrency, aligning herself with SEC Chair Gary Gensler, one of the fiercest opponents of digital assets.

With only days until the election, early voting has already begun in Massachusetts. Polls indicate that Warren holds a substantial lead, maintaining a 20-point advantage over Deaton. Despite Ripple’s support for Deaton, Garlinghouse has also pledged to contribute $11 million in XRP to a political committee backing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the presidential race.

As the election nears, the outcome could have a significant impact on the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S.