Creating Bitcoin Crypto Reserve Makes Sense But Adding XRP Is A Distraction: Say Critics

Last week, Bitcoin (BTC), XRP, Ethereum, and most altcoins fell by double digits. With BTC briefly dipping below $80,000—hitting a low of $79,000 on Friday—some traders opted to cash out.

Then Sunday changed everything. On March 2, 2025, President Donald Trump unveiled a bold vision during a White House press conference, later amplified on Truth Social, to position the United States as a global crypto leader.

( @realDonaldTrump – Truth Social Post )
( Donald J. Trump – Mar 02, 2025, 10:24 AM ET )

A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the… pic.twitter.com/IMI9tAoqp0

— Donald J. Trump TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) March 2, 2025

Central to this plan is a strategic crypto reserve, modeled after the petroleum reserve, designed as a hedge against economic uncertainty.

The reserve will primarily feature Bitcoin and Ethereum but also include “other valuable coins” like XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA).

The announcement triggered a market surge—BTC peaked at $95,000 before retracing, while XRP, a standout gainer, jumped from $2.20 to nearly $3 before settling back.

This rally reflects endorsement from the Trump administration and hints at a regulatory thaw, yet not everyone is on board. Peter Schiff, a crypto skeptic, argues that while a Bitcoin reserve has merit, including XRP makes no sense and dilutes the concept.

A Crypto Reserve Is Historic, Why XRP?

Trump’s proposal marks a historic shift for the crypto industry, aligning with his pro-crypto stance post-inauguration. Bitcoin and Ethereum form its backbone. The surprise inclusion of XRP, SOL, and ADA, however, has ignited debate.

XRP spiked 40% on this news. More optimism around easing SEC pressure, especially after dropped cases against Uniswap and Coinbase, fanned demand.

Yet, Schiff is pushing back. In an X post on March 2, he conceded, “I get the rationale for a Bitcoin reserve. I don’t agree with it, but I get it. We have a gold reserve. Bitcoin is digital gold, which is better than analog gold.”

I get the rationale for a Bitcoin reserve. I don't agree with it, but I get it. We have a gold reserve. Bitcoin is digital gold, which is better than analog gold. So let's create a Bitcoin reserve too. But what's the rationale for an XRP reserve? Why the hell would we need that?

— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) March 2, 2025

He views Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million BTC—nearly 20 million already mined—and its deflationary halving cycle as a logical inflation hedge.

Adding XRP, however, seems to muddy a Bitcoin-centric vision.

Understandably, his stance reflects Bitcoin maximalism, which prizes BTC’s scarcity and decentralization.

XRP, which is core to Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) platform, serves a different purpose—facilitating fast cross-border payments for institutions via the XRP Ledger (XRPL).

A Case For Bitcoin-Only Reserve

While Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson defended XRP saying it is underpinned by a “great technology” with a decade-long track record, Schiff thinks that if XRP qualifies, “even meme coins like ‘fartcoin’” could join the reserve.

Ripple remains locked in a legal battle with the SEC, which appealed a July 2023 ruling by Judge Analisa Torres. The judge deemed XRP’s secondary sales non-securities, though institutional sales violated securities laws.

On X, other critics chimed in saying adding altcoins “looks like corruption” that “creates winners and losers.” They argue a BTC-only reserve aligns with decentralization, avoiding perceived favoritism toward Solana or Cardano.

https://twitter.com/toshiHQ/status/1896393075565441345

The market is now firm. XRP is trading above $2.5 while Bitcoin is steady above $90,000.

All eyes are on the upcoming White House Crypto Summit on March 7, hosted by Trump and chaired by David Sacks, the AI and crypto czar.

Analysts see it as a defining moment for the United States crypto policy.

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