Trump’s Crypto Reserve Plan Sparks Industry Reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the crypto world on Sunday night with the announcement of a strategic crypto reserve plan. The reserve initially included XRP, Cardano’s ADA, and Solana’s SOL—later expanding to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
Trump had floated the idea of a strategic crypto reserve during his 2024 presidential campaign. After taking office in January, he signed an executive order directing a working group to explore the feasibility of such a reserve. However, the order stopped short of mandating its immediate creation.
The directive instructed the digital assets working group to “evaluate the potential creation and maintenance of a national digital asset stockpile.” On Sunday, Trump urged the group to “move forward” with officially establishing the reserve. A summit involving government representatives and crypto industry leaders is scheduled for Friday to discuss the next steps.
The announcement triggered an immediate market reaction, with ADA and XRP surging as much as 60%, while Bitcoin rebounded above the $93,000 mark. Despite the bullish momentum, traders cautioned against overexposure, given the lack of concrete details. All eyes are now on the first-ever White House Crypto Summit set for March 7.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise
“I imagined a strategic reserve would be just Bitcoin. That makes the most sense to me.
Many crypto assets have their merits, but this isn’t a U.S. investment portfolio—it’s a reserve. Bitcoin remains the undisputed store of value for the digital era.
That said, I appreciate the administration’s constructive stance on crypto and look forward to learning more about their thought process.”
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs
“I’ve said this before—the crypto industry will achieve our goals (and beyond) if we work together. I appreciate President @realDonaldTrump’s vision of a government digital asset reserve that represents the broader industry.
Maximalism hinders progress. It’s refreshing to see the administration acknowledge that we live in a multichain world, moving beyond the outdated regulatory stance of previous administrations.
I’ll continue to advocate for these developments when I’m in Washington later this week.”
Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase
“Excited to learn more. Still forming an opinion on asset allocation, but my current thoughts are:
- A Bitcoin-only reserve would be the simplest and most compelling option, akin to digital gold.
- If diversification is preferred, a market-cap-weighted index of major crypto assets would ensure neutrality.
That said, option #1 remains the most straightforward approach.”
Peter Schiff, Gold Advocate & Bitcoin Critic
“I understand the rationale for a Bitcoin reserve, even if I don’t agree with it. The U.S. holds gold reserves, and Bitcoin is often called ‘digital gold.’
But why would we need an XRP reserve? What’s the logic behind that?”
Arthur Hayes, Founder of BitMEX and Maelstrom
“Nothing new here—just words. Let me know when they get congressional approval to borrow money or revalue gold prices. Without that, they have no money to buy Bitcoin or any so-called ‘strategic’ altcoins.”
Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC
“This announcement signals recognition of cryptocurrencies’ economic value and role in national strategy. It also highlights blockchain’s growing influence in the global digital economy.
A U.S. crypto reserve could help stabilize market volatility, legitimize digital assets, and drive regulatory clarity—something the industry has long demanded.
Historically, strategic reserves have boosted demand for commodities like crude oil and gold. Institutional and central bank interest in gold led to a 26% price increase in 2024. We could see a similar effect on crypto assets with strong technological foundations and real-world applications.”
James Butterfill, Head of Research at CoinShares
“We were surprised to see digital assets beyond Bitcoin included in the reserve. Bitcoin serves as a fixed-supply asset that can hedge against fiat devaluation. The inclusion of other assets suggests a broader technological or political strategy rather than a purely economic one.”
Yves La Rose, CEO & Co-Founder of EOS Network Foundation
“President Trump’s timing was intriguing—dropping the announcement on a Sunday amid a battered market and initially highlighting XRP, ADA, and SOL before BTC and ETH.
While many expected a Bitcoin-only reserve, this decision underscores the multifaceted nature of digital assets. It signals recognition of their role in global finance and settlement solutions.
Call it a ‘Trump Index Fund’ or a ‘U.S. Crypto Fund’—this move sets a powerful precedent for digital finance, proving there’s room for multiple assets and technologies.”
Looking Ahead
As the administration moves forward with its crypto reserve plans, the industry eagerly awaits further details at the upcoming White House Crypto Summit. While traders focus on immediate price action, the broader implications of this initiative could shape U.S. digital asset policy for years to come.
