Crypto Industry Voices Weigh In on Trump’s Strategic Reserve Plans

Crypto Leaders React to Trump’s Bold Crypto Reserve Announcement

The crypto industry is abuzz following U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprising announcement of a strategic crypto reserve that includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL). The revelation, which initially focused on XRP, ADA, and SOL before later expanding to BTC and ETH, sent markets soaring, with Bitcoin briefly surpassing $93,000.

Trump has been advocating for a national digital asset reserve since his 2024 campaign, and in January, he signed an executive order directing a task force to assess its feasibility. While the order did not mandate the reserve’s creation, Trump’s latest remarks suggest his administration is now pushing forward with the initiative.

With the first-ever White House Crypto Summit scheduled for March 7, industry leaders have begun weighing in on the potential impact of a U.S. government-backed crypto reserve.

Industry Reactions

Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise
“A strategic reserve makes sense—but I expected it to be solely Bitcoin. As the dominant store of value in the digital asset space, Bitcoin aligns most naturally with the idea of a reserve asset. That said, it’s refreshing to see a U.S. administration engaging constructively with crypto.”

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs
“Crypto’s future depends on collaboration. It’s encouraging to see the U.S. government recognize the role of multiple assets in the evolving digital economy. The inclusion of XRP signals a shift away from the SEC’s outdated stance, and I’m eager to continue these discussions in Washington.”

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase
“A government reserve should ideally be simple and effective. Bitcoin alone would be the most straightforward choice, but if diversification is the goal, a market cap-weighted approach would make the most sense. Either way, this is a landmark moment for the industry.”

Peter Schiff, Gold Advocate & Bitcoin Critic
“Bitcoin as a reserve asset? Questionable, but understandable. But why XRP? This sounds more like a speculative crypto portfolio than a strategic reserve. The U.S. should focus on hard assets with intrinsic value.”

Arthur Hayes, Co-Founder of BitMEX
“This is all talk until there’s actual funding behind it. Without Congress approving the budget or a fundamental shift in monetary policy, there’s no real mechanism for the U.S. to acquire and hold crypto. Let’s see if this is more than just a headline.”

James Butterfill, Head of Research at CoinShares
“It’s surprising to see assets other than Bitcoin in the reserve plan. Unlike BTC, which acts as a hedge against fiat devaluation, the inclusion of altcoins suggests a broader interest in blockchain infrastructure. This could mark a shift toward technological adoption rather than just financial hedging.”

The announcement has sparked renewed debate on the role of digital assets in national strategy. While markets have reacted positively, questions remain on the execution, funding, and long-term viability of the reserve. The upcoming White House Crypto Summit will likely provide further clarity on this historic policy shift.