Emily Walker
In a recent post on X, lawyer Jeremy Hogan from Hogan & Hogan P.A., who is well-known in the XRP community for his insights regarding the Ripple vs. SEC legal battle, introduced a thought-provoking idea that has generated considerable discussion. He proposed that the U.S. government might consider incorporating XRP into a strategic reserve, highlighting a reason that hasn’t been widely discussed.
Could Trump Support a US XRP Reserve?
“I want to raise the possibility of XRP being included in a U.S. digital asset strategic reserve,” Hogan mentioned. “Most discussions in the crypto world fixate on aspects like decentralization or validator selection, which might not hold significant weight for the Federal Government.”
Hogan’s viewpoint diverges from the common discussions among cryptocurrency enthusiasts, who typically emphasize decentralization and governance issues. He argues that government officials are likely to prioritize the practical applications and control of assets instead. “A strategic reserve is essentially a holding of significant assets—such as gold or oil—that the government maintains to safeguard the public against uncertainties,” he clarified. “If the U.S. decides to keep XRP in reserve, it could be due to anticipated advantages in navigating possible future challenges.”
He also suggested that the government might have access to sensitive information regarding potential geopolitical issues or economic events, making the ownership of XRP strategically beneficial. Hogan even mentioned the possibility of government action similar to historical asset seizures if Ripple were to conflict with U.S. interests.
“Perhaps the U.S. Government possesses insights into geopolitical developments that would warrant holding XRP in the future, insights that ‘Joe Smith’ Bitcoin enthusiast may not have,” he elaborated. “Additionally, if Ripple threatened the XRP ecosystem, the Government might consider taking control of Ripple itself, akin to tactics used in World War II, or seize XRP in escrow, resembling the 1933 gold confiscation.”
This discussion attracted various comments from the community. One user, Hememan, remarked, “That’s a genius idea. The implications of ‘Made in USA’ are vast in this context. You’re right that decentralization doesn’t really affect government strategy.” Hogan replied, “To them, centralized assets are easier to manage – they might even prefer that.”
Others chimed in with different viewpoints. Crypto influencer Jungle Inc humorously stated, “The government would hold it for the same reasons they keep BTC—financial contributions from wealthy donors during midterms.” Hogan acknowledged the possibility, saying, “That could be a factor as well.”
Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has previously expressed doubt about the feasibility of a concentrated Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). He supports a more diversified approach that includes XRP and other U.S.-based digital assets to reduce market volatility and provide comprehensive coverage against fluctuating conditions.
In a related critique, Ripple’s lobbying tactics faced backlash from Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Research at Riot Platforms, and other notable figures in the Bitcoin space. Rochard accused Ripple of spending significant funds to lobby against a Bitcoin-centric SBR, aiming to broaden the reserve to encompass various cryptocurrencies, thus benefiting XRP.
As of now, XRP is trading at $2.41.