Crypto Goes IPO — Ripple Could Lead the Blockchain Industry’s Charge

2020 could be the year that crypto companies step forward and take the plunge into going public. As the biggest players in the industry cautiously watch for opportunities to gain regulatory approval, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse used the prestigious Davos World Economic Forum summit to announce that the firm was considering an initial public offering later on in the year. 

Crypto companies looking to go public face a paradox. Financial firms often have to meet stringent regulatory standards. Failing to adequately reassure regulators can result in companies being frozen out of lucrative markets or forced to shut down altogether. But simply leaping to the other end of the spectrum and attempting as much integration with the financial mainstream as possible is not as easy as it sounds. Many investors and mainstream financial companies are reluctant to take on the high level of risk associated with crypto or don’t understand digital currencies at all. 

Nonetheless, there are notable…