Stuart Alderoty, chief legal officer at Ripple, has offered a clear definition of what cryptocurrency represents for Americans: opportunity, access, and an alternative. His remarks come as the digital asset industry continues to navigate regulatory scrutiny and seeks broader mainstream acceptance.

Speaking on the Crypto In America podcast hosted by former Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett, Alderoty positioned crypto not as a threat to established financial institutions but as a layer that works alongside them. “It is not a substitute for traditional finance. It is a complement to traditional finance,” he said.

The executive, who has spent years defending Ripple in its legal fight with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,…