- Trump’s Crypto Reserve selects XRP, signaling government recognition and strengthening its role in global finance.
- XRP’s legal clarity and banking focus set it apart from Bitcoin, making it appealing for institutional and governmental use.
- Skeptics question political motives behind XRP’s inclusion, citing Ripple’s lobbying and ties to Trump’s campaign.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced the creation of a Crypto Strategic Reserve, selecting XRP as one of the few digital assets included. This decision is significant for XRP, elevating its role within the financial system.
Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, XRP’s focus on cross border payments and banking partnerships makes its inclusion unique. The move positions XRP as a government recognized asset, showing its legitimacy in financial markets.
XRP’s Political and Financial Ties to Trump
Ripple, the company behind XRP, has maintained strong political connections. Its CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, met with Trump a few months ago, later sharing a photo from their dinner.
Ripple has also been active in crypto lobbying, reportedly donating $45 million to influence U.S. elections. According to OpenSecrets, these efforts aimed to advance the broader crypto industry’s interests.
Legal clarity surrounding XRP may have influenced Trump’s decision. The company has faced a legal battle with the SEC over whether its XRP sales constituted an unregistered securities offering.
While Ripple largely prevailed, the SEC secured a partial victory with its appeal on January 15th 2025. With this legal outcome, XRP gained more certainty in the regulatory sector, making it an appealing choice for institutional and governmental consideration, though there is still uncertainty.
XRP vs. Bitcoin: A Comparative Advantage
Analysts and industry figures quickly reacted to XRP’s inclusion in the reserve. Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, defended the selection, emphasizing XRP’s technological resilience.
He noted that XRP has endured various market cycles, maintaining its status as a global standard in digital transactions. Legal expert Bill Morgan also noted that courts had ruled XRP was not a security, strengthening its legitimacy.
Comparing XRP to Bitcoin, analyst JackTheRippler pointed out notable differences. XRP processes transactions at 1,500 transactions per second (TPS), far exceeding Bitcoin’s 7 TPS.
It also boasts low transaction fees, fast three second settlements, and energy efficiency, unlike Bitcoin’s high fees and slow processing times. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) further enhances scalability, making it suitable for global adoption.
Skepticism and Potential Political Motives
Despite the announcement, some experts questioned the rationale behind XRP’s inclusion. Peter Schiff expressed skepticism, asking why a reserve would need XRP. In response, Hoskinson reiterated XRP’s strong technological foundation and active community support.
Chinese analyst Alex Xu, a research partner at Mint Ventures, raised concerns about political motivations. Xu noted that many assets included in Trump’s reserve had ties to his political activities, including campaign sponsorships and donations. He suggested that these financial contributions might have influenced Trump’s selection process.
While Trump’s move has raised questions, XRP’s placement in the Crypto Strategic Reserve is pivotal. The decision indicates increased institutional trust and raises questions about the broader implications of government involvement in digital assets.
