Ripple Taps Bill Clinton to Give Keynote at Upcoming Conference

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will headline Ripple's Swell conference later this year, the cryptocurrency payments startup announced Tuesday.

The 42nd President of the United States will both give a keynote address and participate in a question-and-answer session, Ripple said in a press release. The conference will take place in San Francisco over the first two days of October.

Clinton "helped usher in a period of extreme growth and adoption of the internet" as president, according to the release. He also oversaw programs which helped communities and individuals gain access to the internet during his presidency.

The release added:

"These learnings are perhaps more relevant now than ever before. Like the Internet boom of the 90's, we are at an impasse: digital assets and blockchain technology offer a way for value to be exchanged as quickly as information – creating more financial inclusion and economic opportunity. However, with this new technology comes potential for concern, requiring thoughtful policy to protect consumers from risk without hampering innovation."

The question-and-answer session will be hosted by former National Economic Council director and advisor Gene Sperling, who served under both Clinton and President Barack Obama, and is currently on Ripple's board of directors.

Bill Clinton image via Anthony Correia / Shutterstock