Bitcoiners Slam Ripple For Pushing Multi-Asset Reserve

Ripple, the company behind XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has come under increased scrutiny from Bitcoiners who claim it is actively lobbying against a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.

In a Jan. 23 X post, Riot Platforms Head of Research Pierre Rochard said that Ripple is the biggest obstacle to the creation of a Bitcoin Reserve and is trying to derail it by throwing money at politicians. Fox Business previously reported that Ripple donated $5 million in XRP to the Trump administration.

Ripple CEO Brad Garinghouse responded to the post, saying that Ripple’s efforts were accelerating the likelihood of a strategic crypto reserve happening. However, Garinghouse’s comments did little to quell the annoyance of Bitcoin enthusiasts who stormed X to voice their displeasure.

Ripple has not replied to a request for comment from The Defiant.

“Ripple isn't the only crypto company that has any influence. Trump's inauguration crypto ball was sponsored by a raft of major players, including Sui and Solana," Chris Chung, founder and CEO of Solana-based swap platform Titan said in an interview.

"So the President is likely hearing a diverse range of viewpoints on the future of crypto policy,” he said.

Bitcoin, Not Crypto

Wayne Vaughan, the founder of Bitcoin First, said in a Jan. 23 X post that the U.S. needs a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, not a Strategic Crypto Reserve, and that altcoins like Ripple, Ethereum, and Solana should not be included in the U.S. Government’s balance sheet.

Bitvolt CEO Nico Moran also chimed in, saying that Ripple was deliberately opposing the US Bitcoin Strategic Reserve initiative and prioritizing its interests over the well-being of the American people.

Jack Mallers, the CEO of Strike, also made a strong video statement saying that Ripple is undermining American prosperity and freedom by lobbying against a Bitcoin reserve while pushing their centralized, corporate-controlled token.

Messari founder Ryan Selkis threw shade at Ripple in a Jan. 24 X post, saying that although he did not donate $12 million to Kamala Harris or cost the Republicans three additional seats in the Senate as they did, he would try to help President Trump understand why XRP is a valid example of why a national crypto reserve was not necessary.