[DigitalToday reporter Yoonseo Lee] Brad Garlinghouse (브래드 갈링하우스), CEO of Ripple, said the company could consider "something special" for XRP holders if it pursues an initial public offering (IPO).

The Crypto Basic, a blockchain outlet, reported on May 8 that Garlinghouse said this in a recent podcast interview while discussing the possibility of Ripple going public and its relationship with the XRP community.

Garlinghouse drew a line under the idea that Ripple is currently prioritising an IPO. He cited as a reason that stock market performance has recently fallen short of expectations after crypto-related firms listed. He pointed to BitGo and Gemini, saying the public market environment is not easy, and also mentioned cases in which Kraken has delayed its listing plans.

Ripple also highlighted advantages of remaining private. Garlinghouse joked that staying a private company allows it to speak more freely without immediate pressure from regulators or legal teams. He did not rule out an IPO itself. He said Ripple could eventually consider listing, but it is not the immediate focus.

Attention has focused on what direct benefits XRP holders could gain in the event of a listing. Garlinghouse said he hopes that Ripple’s process of growing the ecosystem and expanding XRP’s global adoption already helps XRP holders. He also left open the possibility of additional measures.

Asked whether Ripple could do something special for people who hold XRP if it goes public, he replied: "It could, but it’s not something for right now." Because there have been few cases in which a company has publicly linked listing plans with rewards for XRP holders, his remarks drew attention in the XRP community.

Xaif, a community member, wrote on social media that "Garlinghouse casually mentioned that he could take special measures for XRP holders," expressing expectations that Ripple’s interests could align with those of XRP holders over the long term. Garlinghouse did not present a specific method or timing.

Garlinghouse also stressed in the interview that the XRP community is an important driving force in Ripple’s decision-making. Ripple looks at how moves into mergers and acquisitions, partnerships and external investments affect XRP adoption, he explained. He said Ripple is supporting high-quality digital asset treasury companies, citing Evernode as an example.

Garlinghouse said these moves benefit XRP holders, the community and Ripple shareholders. "It’s good for the community, good for Ripple shareholders, good for everybody," he said. Market attention is expected to focus on whether Ripple will step up discussions on a listing and how it would institutionalise links with XRP holders in that process.

Brad just casually mentioned doing "something special" for xrp holders if ripple goes public bro said it himself. hold accordingly. ripple:native pic.twitter.com/E1vSUBROdM