ETH, XRP, SOL, ADA Included in U.S. Strategic Reserve? Bitcoin Association Chair Warns of Conflict of Interest Risks

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The idea of a U.S. cryptocurrency strategic reserve has taken center stage after former President Donald Trump announced plans to include major digital assets—Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA)—as core holdings in a proposed national crypto reserve.

Trump made the announcement via his Truth Social platform, where he reaffirmed his long-standing vision: “I will ensure America becomes the cryptocurrency capital of the world. We are making America great again!” He later clarified that Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum would “of course” be part of the initiative.

The news triggered an immediate market rally. At the time of writing, Bitcoin surged to $92,250, Ethereum reached $2,380, XRP climbed to $2.67, and Solana hit $161.98—highlighting the powerful influence of policy sentiment on crypto valuations.

Why Including Non-Bitcoin Cryptocurrencies Raises Concerns

While Trump has long advocated for a strategic crypto reserve during his 2024 presidential campaign, what surprised many was the inclusion of non-Bitcoin digital assets like ETH, XRP, SOL, and ADA.

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According to Lin Hong-Yu, Chairman of the Bitcoin and Digital Currency Development Association, introducing tokens with identifiable project teams or foundations poses significant conflict-of-interest risks.

“National strategic reserves must avoid benefiting specific entities,” Lin explained. “Just as governments wouldn’t let oil reserves indirectly fund a single energy company, they should be cautious about using taxpayer money to back cryptocurrencies tied to centralized teams.”

Bitcoin stands apart due to its decentralized nature and lack of a central issuing authority. In contrast, XRP is closely associated with Ripple Labs, SOL with the Solana Foundation, and ADA with IOHK—all of which have clear corporate or organizational ties. This structural difference raises legitimate concerns about whether such inclusions could amount to indirect government subsidies for private ventures.

A Strategic Move Aligned With 'America First'?

Despite these concerns, Lin noted that Trump’s selection makes strategic sense within the context of his “America First” ideology.

“XRP, SOL, and ADA are all projects largely developed by U.S.-based teams,” he said. “By including them, the administration may be signaling support not just for crypto adoption, but for American-led blockchain innovation.”

This approach could serve dual purposes: strengthening national financial resilience while boosting domestic tech leadership. In effect, Bitcoin acts as the neutral reserve asset, while other tokens represent targeted support for homegrown blockchain ecosystems.

However, this strategy walks a fine line between fostering innovation and risking perceptions of favoritism—especially when venture capital-backed tokens are involved.

White House Crypto Summit: What to Expect on March 7

Scheduled for March 7, the upcoming White House Crypto Summit marks a historic moment—the first-ever crypto-focused summit hosted by the U.S. executive branch.

Lin expects key figures such as Paul Atkins, Trump’s nominee for SEC Chair, and Senator Cynthia Lummis to play central roles. Atkins has previously emphasized aligning financial regulation with American competitiveness, suggesting the summit may explore a new regulatory framework tailored specifically for the crypto industry—one that operates independently from traditional securities laws.

Senator Lummis, a vocal advocate for Bitcoin reserves, is also expected to address legislative developments, including potential updates to stablecoin regulation and the expansion of the strategic reserve beyond Bitcoin.

Currently, the draft legislation known as the BITCOIN Act of 2024 focuses exclusively on Bitcoin. Expanding it to include four additional cryptocurrencies would require substantial revisions and bipartisan approval in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

“The real challenge lies in convincing lawmakers that this isn’t a bailout for specific projects,” Lin cautioned. “There’s a risk taxpayers could end up subsidizing token issuance costs or absorbing VC-exit positions. Given these concerns, it’s possible the final policy will revert to Bitcoin-only.”

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Could Bitcoin Break Its All-Time High Soon?

Regardless of which tokens are ultimately included, one outcome is clear: Bitcoin’s status has evolved from a speculative asset to a geopolitical instrument.

“Bitcoin is no longer just an investment—it’s part of national economic strategy,” Lin stated. “When governments start treating it as a reserve asset, it shifts the entire narrative.”

This institutional embrace increases Bitcoin’s legitimacy and could drive prices toward new highs. Based on multiple valuation models tracking market cycles, Lin believes we’re still in a bull market phase.

“With favorable policy momentum, Bitcoin could突破 its previous peak and reach $108,000,” he predicted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Bitcoin considered safer than other cryptos for a national reserve?
A: Bitcoin’s decentralized structure, limited supply, and absence of corporate control make it less prone to conflicts of interest—key criteria for any national reserve asset.

Q: Can other cryptocurrencies like ETH or XRP realistically be part of a U.S. reserve?
A: While technically feasible, political and ethical hurdles remain high due to their ties to specific organizations. Regulatory scrutiny would be intense.

Q: What impact does the White House Crypto Summit have on global markets?
A: As the first summit of its kind, it signals growing governmental recognition of digital assets and may influence regulatory approaches worldwide.

Q: Is there precedent for countries holding crypto as reserves?
A: El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as legal tender, and some nations hold small BTC positions in reserves. However, a formal U.S. strategic crypto reserve would be unprecedented in scale and influence.

Q: How might this affect everyday investors?
A: Increased institutional adoption typically boosts market confidence and liquidity, potentially leading to higher prices and broader financial integration.

Q: What happens if Congress rejects multi-crypto reserves?
A: The most likely fallback is a Bitcoin-only reserve model, which faces fewer legal and ethical objections and aligns with current legislative drafts.

Looking Ahead: Taiwan’s Response and Global Implications

To further examine these trends, the Bitcoin and Digital Currency Development Association will host its second annual forum on March 13: Bitcoin National Reserves – 2025 Forum on Innovation and Derivative Regulatory Strategies. The event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and researchers to discuss global developments and formulate adaptive strategies for Taiwan.

As nations grapple with the implications of digital asset reserves, one thing is certain—the era of crypto as a fringe technology is over. Whether through Bitcoin alone or a diversified portfolio, digital currencies are now firmly embedded in the future of finance.

👉 Stay ahead of the curve—see how policy shifts are accelerating crypto adoption worldwide.