On March 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the cryptocurrency ecosystem with his announcement of a so-called strategic crypto reserve featuring Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), XRP, and Cardano’s ADA token.
Unveiled via Truth Social, Trump’s vision to position the U.S. as the “crypto capital of the world” triggered an immediate market rally, with Bitcoin surging 11% to $94,164, Ethereum climbing 13% to $2,516, and altcoins like XRP and ADA spiking 30% and 60%, respectively.
Yet, while the market seemed to welcome this development, many crypto and web3 industry professionals offered a mixed reaction of surprise, skepticism, and cautious optimism, revealing deep divisions over the réserve’s composition and implications.
Trump’s inclusion of XRP and ADA raised concerns among crypto insiders.
Unlike Ethereum and Solana, which boast robust ecosystems and widespread adoption, XRP and ADA have faced scrutiny for their relatively niche use cases.
XRP, tied to Ripple Labs, is known for its cross-border payment utility, but its adoption remains overshadowed by regulatory hurdles. Despite the Trump Administration’s pro-crypto stance, the SEC battle with Ripple Labs’ XRP sales has still not been settled.
Cardano, despite its research-driven approach, lags in real-world application compared to its peers.
“I’m surprised by XRP and ADA,” remarked Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange.
“If the goal is a strategic reserve, Bitcoin’s dominance and Ethereum’s utility make sense—altcoins like these feel like a stretch.”
Armstrong’s sentiment echoes a broader industry preference for focusing on the top-tier assets with proven staying power.
Bitcoin maximalists were quick to pounce.
Peter Schiff, a long-time BTC critic turned unlikely ally of the maximalist cause in this debate, dismissed the diversified reserve as nonsensical.
“A reserve with anything other than Bitcoin is a bailout for altcoins,” Schiff posted on X, arguing that BTC’s scarcity and decentralization make it the only logical choice.
Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3 and a vocal Bitcoin advocate, went further, dubbing it a “shitcoin reserve.”
“This is a sad day for America if we’re shilling altcoins at the nation-state level,” Mow lamented, suggesting the move enriches specific projects—like Ripple—over national interest.
Adam Back, Blockstream CEO, chimed in with a meme mocking the “strategic shitcoin reserve,” while Dan Held, a prominent BTC proponent, tweeted, “Bitcoin is the reserve asset. Everything else is noise.”
Yet, Trump’s diversified approach has many prominent defenders who see it as a pragmatic play for global crypto leadership.
“A BTC-only reserve is too narrow,” argued Anthony Scaramucci, a former Trump aide turned crypto enthusiast.
He added:
“If the U.S. wants to dominate web3, it needs to embrace the broader ecosystem—ETH, SOL, XRP, and ADA signal that intent.”
This perspective highlights a strategic angle: by including American-linked altcoins, Trump may be betting on a portfolio that boosts U.S.-based innovation.
Notably absent, however, are prominent altcoins like Binance’s BNB and Tron (TRX), likely excluded due to their non-U.S. origins—a subtle nod to an “America First” crypto policy.
The global reaction underscores the announcement’s ripple effect. In Asia, Japan’s Metaplanet doubled down on its Bitcoin holdings, while crypto-linked stocks in the region surged, reflecting bullish sentiment.
“This is a game-changer for web3,” said Dan Held, pivoting to optimism despite his BTC bias.
“The U.S. embracing crypto at this level legitimizes the space long-term.”
Coinbase’s Armstrong echoed this, noting,
“Regulatory clarity and institutional adoption could skyrocket if this reserve materializes.”
Still, questions linger.
Does Trump’s unexpected mix dilute the reserve’s credibility, as maximalists fear, or does it position the U.S. as a forward-thinking crypto hub?
For now, the industry oscillates between excitement and critique, with the White House Crypto Summit on March 7 poised to reveal more.
One thing is clear: Trump’s seemingly bold move has ignited a debate that will shape web3 and crypto’s future—whether as a Bitcoin supporter or an enabler of a more diversified digital frontier.