Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that the company expects to achieve a record first quarter driven by mergers and acquisitions, and has invested approximately $4 billion in the crypto ecosystem, including the $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road and about $1 billion for GTreasury. He also pointed out that the progress of digital asset legislation in the U.S. is slower than expected, and the CLARITY bill may be delayed from its original schedule in April to May, urging to avoid excessive politicization of regulation that could hinder industry development.