Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse De-Banked Over Crypto Ties. In a revealing disclosure at DC Fintech Week, Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, announced that Citigroup, his banking partner for 25 years, has recently severed ties with him due to his deep involvement in the cryptocurrency sector. According to CoinDesk, Garlinghouse described this incident as part of a broader trend of “de-banking” within the crypto industry, driven by heightened pressure from U.S. regulators urging financial institutions to minimize their exposure to digital assets.