In the midst of a virtual dispute that escalated within the Bitcoin and XRP communities over the past weekend, former President Donald Trump’s recent disclosure of a “Digital Asset Stockpile” under his administration’s newly issued cryptocurrency executive order has been a catalyst. Whereas the majority anticipated a “Bitcoin Strategic Reserve” announcement, the use of a broader term led to a hearty debate about the potential inclusion of digital assets other than Bitcoin, specifically XRP, in the national digital asset reserves of the United States. Jason P. Lowery, a US Space Force officer and widely respected astronautical engineer recognized for his insightful MIT thesis on Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism as a form of national security infrastructure, has situated himself into the conversation regarding the likelihood of the Trump administration extending its “digital asset stockpile” beyond Bitcoin.
The Case for Bitcoin Over XRP
Taking to X on Sunday, Lowery voiced concerns regarding the possibility of governments within the BRICS bloc (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) adopting a cryptocurrency viewed as being under U.S. jurisdiction. Although he did not reference XRP specifically, Lowery’s allusions to a “meme coin” or “one controlled by an American CEO” are presumed to be indirect references referring to XRP or other cryptocurrencies overseen by a US-based entity.
Lowery candidly questioned, “Would BRICS be interested in incorporating a meme coin into their reserves, or one overseen by an American CEO? Could they opt for a USD stablecoin issued by an American company positioning itself as a modern-day Federal Reserve Bank?” He continued, “Or are they more likely to embrace the coin that has faced continuous vilification and condemnation by the U.S. for over 15 years as it operates outside of U.S. control? The coin that promises sovereign access to block space, guaranteeing unfiltered and uninterrupted transactions, as long as they retain the physical power and infrastructure they’ve already established?”
Lowery’s comments emphasize his main argument that Bitcoin’s strategic properties have the potential to appeal to nations beyond the U.S.’ sphere of influence due to its decentralized, censorship-resistant architecture. In his opinion, this offers Bitcoin a unique standing on the global geopolitical playing field.
Geopolitical Choice Over Technological Merit
Moving the focus away from technological value, Lowery’s key question centers on geopolitical decision-making. He argues that in terms of establishing the future “global reserve asset,” it will ultimately be other nations’ choice of what they want to keep—specifically potential competitors and adversaries like China and Russia—that will decide.
Lowery cautions the U.S. crypto community that having domestic favor for an asset is inadequate if strategically, adversaries see no incentive to adopt it. Lowery stresses the significance of evaluating whether foreign governments would realistically incorporate considerable amounts of a specific digital asset into their state reserves. Failure to do so, he suggests, might mean that advocating for any other coin—particularly those closely tied to U.S. authorities or corporations—could be fruitless and potentially “undermine the future security and prosperity of this nation.”
Ripple Advocates Remain Hopeful
Despite the Trump administration’s silence on the inclusion of other cryptocurrencies besides Bitcoin in the U.S. “Digital Asset Stockpile,” Ripple advocates remain optimistic. They argue that regulatory clarity regarding XRP and ongoing collaborations with financial institutions could potentially solidify its status as a recognized strategic asset.
Yet, Lowery warns that global trends, particularly BRICS’ decisions, might upstage any domestic optimism. If the BRICS countries and beyond decide that Bitcoin’s decentralization and censorship resistance offer a unique geostrategic advantage, they may opt to adopt it in bulk. Lowery implies that this potential international preference for Bitcoin could pressure the U.S. to boost its holdings or risk a strategic disadvantage.
At the time of reporting, the trading price for BTC sat at $99,293.
FAQs
What is the “Digital Asset Stockpile”?
The “Digital Asset Stockpile” is a term used by the former President Donald Trump’s administration, referring to the collective digital assets held by the United States
Why might other cryptocurrencies be considered for inclusion in the “Digital Asset Stockpile”?
Other cryptocurrencies may offer different functionalities or benefits that could be strategically advantageous for the country, prompting their inclusion.
What is BRICS?
BRICS is an acronym that stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, representing five major emerging national economies.
Why are Ripple advocates hopeful?
Ripple advocates believe that ongoing partnerships with financial institutions and regulatory clarity around XRP may eventually secure its position as a recognized strategic asset.
