Chris Larsen (Ripple)
Overview
Chris Larsen is a prominent figure in the fintech and cryptocurrency sectors, known primarily as the co-founder and executive chairman of Ripple Labs. Ripple is a technology company using blockchain innovation to enable cross-border transactions for financial institutions rapidly and with minimal fees. Prior to Ripple, Chris Larsen also co-founded several successful technology and financial companies, including the peer-to-peer lending platform, Prosper Marketplace, and E-Loan, one of the first online mortgage lenders. His leadership and innovations have earned him a place among the world's wealthiest individuals in the cryptocurrency space, significantly impacting how digital assets are integrated into modern finance.
Recent Developments
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November 2025: Ripple raised $500 million from institutional investors, including Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities, elevating its valuation to $40 billion. This strategic move aligns with Ripple's partnership with Mastercard to enable RLUSD settlements on their ledger, further embedding their presence in the global payments landscape.
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October 2025: Chris Larsen was involved in a significant transfer of XRP to Evernorth Holdings, an entity focused on building a public XRP treasury, with his contribution amounting to 50 million XRP.
- Source: Invezz
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July 2025: Larsen reportedly dispatched substantial amounts of XRP, coinciding with price surges and market highs, showing his strategic financial maneuvers within the crypto ecosystem.
- Sources: Cointelegraph, The Block
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Chris Larsen |
| Born | 1960, San Francisco, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Executive Chairman at Ripple Labs |
| Known For | Ripple Labs, E-Loan, Prosper Marketplace |
| Net Worth | Approximately $13.8 billion (2025) |
| Education | San Francisco State University, Stanford GSB |
Early Life and Education
Chris Larsen was born in 1960 in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a working-class family, with his father working as an aircraft mechanic and his mother as a freelance illustrator. Larsen pursued higher education at San Francisco State University, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Accounting. Later, he continued his studies at Stanford Graduate School of Business, earning an MBA. These educational experiences, alongside his family background, nurturing a drive for entrepreneurship, setting the stage for his career in fintech.
Career and Notable Achievements
Chris Larsen's career began in the financial sector, which saw a significant turning point in the 1990s with the co-founding of E-Loan. E-Loan was one of the first platforms to offer online mortgage lending services, setting a precedent for modern fintech.
- E-Loan: Cofounded in 1996, pioneering in open access to credit scores.
- Prosper Marketplace: Founded in 2005, recognized as a pioneering peer-to-peer lending platform.
- Ripple Labs: In 2012, Larsen co-founded Ripple Labs, creating the Ripple payment protocol and XRP Ledger, introducing blockchain solutions to cross-border payments.
Under Larsen's leadership, Ripple secured numerous significant partnerships with financial institutions globally, standardizing the use of digital assets in financial operations.
Current Work and Impact
As of 2025, Chris Larsen continues to shape the fintech landscape as Ripple Labs' executive chairman. Despite stepping down as CEO in 2016, his strategic vision drives Ripple's expansion and innovation in the blockchain realm. Ripple's work in cross-border payments and financial decentralization remains influential, propelling forward the adoption of blockchain in conventional finance. Through acquisitions and partnerships, Ripple’s ecosystem grows stronger, evidenced by recent collaborations with industry giants like Mastercard.
Conclusion
Chris Larsen’s endeavors have left a lasting impression on the fintech industry, innovating how money is transferred globally with efficiency and reliability. His initiatives through Ripple Labs have not only cemented XRP as a critical digital currency but have also paved the way for more inclusive and accessible financial systems. As an influential figure, Larsen’s contributions continue to shape discussions around digital assets, regulation, and the future of global finance.