The Bitcoin community is criticizing Ripple for advocating a US multi-coin strategic reserve, instead of Bitcoin-only, sparking heated debate within the crypto space.
Bitcoiners accused Ripple of being the “biggest obstacle” to a US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve because it actively promoted the inclusion of multiple coins, including XRP (XRP).
On Jan. 16, The New York Post reported that Trump was receptive to the idea of setting up a strategic reserve comprising US-based tokens such as USD Coin (USDC), Solana (SOL) and XRP.
The idea, largely supported by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, has spurred a debate in the community, with many claiming that no coin other than Bitcoin (BTC) has a place on the US government’s balance sheet.
Garlinghouse confirms pushing a diversified crypto reserve
Riot Platforms’ research head, Pierre Rochard, took to X on Jan. 23 to refer to Ripple as the “biggest obstacle for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.”
He highlighted Ripple’s heavy political lobbying and active involvement in building central bank digital currencies (CBDC).
Ripple’s Garlinghouse jumped on Rochard’s thread to confirm his support of a diversified crypto reserve rather than a Bitcoin-only one.
Source: Pierre Rochard
“Our efforts are actually increasing the likelihood of a crypto strategic reserve — which includes Bitcoin — happening,” Garlinghouse wrote.
Rochard is not alone in slamming Ripple
Many in the community joined the debate on whether the US should create a multi-asset crypto reserve, with Bitcoiners blasting Ripple for backing a diversified crypto reserve.
“The US needs a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, not a Strategic Crypto Reserve,” Bitcoin advocate Wayne Vaughan wrote on X on Jan. 23. He added:
“Ripple, Ethereum, and Solana have no place on the US government’s balance sheet. Including them would create a costly political fallout for the Trump Administration.”
Bitvolt CEO Nico Moran echoed Rochard’s remarks about Ripple, stating that the company was “deliberately working against the US Bitcoin Strategic Reserve initiative, prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of the American people.”
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Messari CEO Ryan Selkis criticized Ripple’s political ties and its push for XRP as an asset on the US balance sheet.
Source: Ryan Selkis (Twobitidiot)
“I didn’t donate $12 million to Kamala or cost the GOP three additional Senate seats like Ripple did,” Selkis wrote, adding:
“But I’m still gonna try to help President Trump and their team understand why XRP is the poster child for why we shouldn’t have a national crypto reserve. Bitcoin Reserve or nothing.”
Independent journalist Efrat Fenigson joined the growing criticism of Ripple, referring to a “love story” between Ripple and CBDCs.
She emphasized that Ripple’s lobbying against Bitcoin reserves was evident in the context of its support of centralized money and CBDCs over Bitcoin’s freedom.
The news came as Trump signed an executive order banning CBDC development in the US and creating a national digital asset stockpile on Jan. 23.
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