According to available reports, Economist and long-time gold advocate Peter Schiff has publicly questioned the U.S. government’s decision to include XRP in Trump’s proposed Crypto Strategic Reserve. The reserve, announced on March 2, 2025, is set to hold Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and XRP, positioning digital assets as a core component of U.S. financial strategy.
Schiff, known for his skepticism toward cryptocurrencies, expressed particular confusion over XRP’s inclusion, acknowledging the rationale for Bitcoin as “digital gold” but failing to see the justification for XRP.
Schiff: “What’s So Special About XRP?”
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Schiff questioned whether XRP serves a unique strategic role that justifies its place in the U.S. government’s reserve.
Peter Schiff stated:
“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, so let’s create a Bitcoin reserve too. But what’s the rationale for an XRP reserve? Why the hell would we need that?”
His comments sparked intense debate among crypto enthusiasts, financial analysts, and industry leaders, reigniting discussions on XRP’s utility and relevance in global finance.
XRP Supporters Defend Trump’s Decision
Schiff’s remarks immediately drew responses from the XRP community, often referred to as the “XRP Army.” Many defended XRP’s inclusion, citing its fast transaction speeds, institutional adoption, and use in cross-border settlements.
Charles Hoskinson, Cardano Founder and Ethereum Co-Founder, responded:
“Because XRP is great technology, a global standard, survived for a decade through many harsh cycles, and has one of the strongest communities. I think the president made the right decision.”
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse also weighed in on the debate:
“Recognizing a multichain ecosystem is a step in the right direction. The crypto industry will achieve more through unity.”
Skeptics Align With Schiff’s Concerns
Not everyone was convinced by XRP’s inclusion. Some, like crypto influencer Dan Held, found themselves unexpectedly agreeing with Schiff.
Dan Held tweeted:
“Lmao, what timeline is this? I actually agree with Peter Schiff?”
Schiff remained firm in his stance, challenging XRP’s strategic necessity for the U.S. government, despite the community’s defense.
Schiff pressed further:
“There are a lot of valuable assets that the U.S. government doesn’t hold in reserve. What’s so special about XRP?”
Expert Insights: Does XRP Deserve a Place in the U.S. Reserve?
Based on reports, the inclusion of XRP in Trump’s Crypto Strategic Reserve has sparked intense debate among financial analysts and crypto experts. While supporters argue its utility in cross-border payments and institutional finance, skeptics, including Peter Schiff, question its strategic necessity for the U.S. government. Experts weigh in on whether XRP’s adoption, speed, and liquidity justify its role in a national reserve or if this is simply a political move.
Macro strategist Lyn Alden weighed in:
“XRP is optimized for fast settlement, which aligns with strategic financial infrastructure. Whether the U.S. needs it in a reserve capacity is debatable, but its utility in global finance is real.”
Crypto analyst Adam Cochran shared a different view:
“XRP has strong institutional use, but Schiff’s point isn’t wrong. The U.S. isn’t reserving stablecoins or tokenized gold—why XRP?”
Economist Raoul Pal countered the skepticism:
“The idea of a U.S. crypto reserve is unprecedented, and XRP has global adoption. It’s not about necessity—it’s about positioning for the future.”
Final Verdict: Political Move or Strategic Play?
The debate over XRP’s place in Trump’s crypto reserve plan highlights a larger conversation about how digital assets fit into national financial strategies. While some argue XRP’s institutional adoption and payment efficiency justify its inclusion, skeptics like Schiff question whether it holds the same strategic importance as Bitcoin.
With Ripple’s CEO supporting the initiative and experts split on XRP’s necessity, the U.S. government’s next move will determine whether this decision was purely political or a step toward integrating crypto into mainstream economic policy.
As Trump’s Crypto Strategic Reserve plan unfolds, XRP’s role in the U.S. financial landscape remains a subject of fierce debate. The BIT Journal is available around the clock, providing you with updated information about the state of the crypto world. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join our Telegram channel.
FAQs
1. Why did Peter Schiff criticize the U.S. XRP reserve?
Schiff questioned why XRP was included in Trump’s Crypto Strategic Reserve, arguing that its role as a national asset is unclear compared to Bitcoin’s “digital gold” narrative.
2. What is the rationale behind XRP’s inclusion?
Supporters argue that XRP’s use in institutional finance, fast settlement speeds, and global adoption make it a valuable strategic reserve asset.
3. Does XRP have real-world use cases?
Yes. XRP is widely used for cross-border payments, liquidity solutions, and institutional finance, with partnerships in banking and payment infrastructure.
4. Will the U.S. government actually create a Crypto Strategic Reserve?
Trump’s proposal signals a shift in policy, but whether it materializes into an official reserve strategy remains to be seen.
Glossary
Crypto Strategic Reserve: A proposed U.S. government-held reserve of digital assets.
XRP Army: The active and vocal community of XRP supporters.
Digital Gold: A term often used to describe Bitcoin’s role as a store of value.
Institutional Adoption: The use of crypto assets by major financial institutions and corporations.
Multichain Ecosystem: The idea that multiple blockchain networks can coexist and serve different purposes.