An online standoff broke out between the Bitcoin and XRP communities over the weekend, fueled by former President Donald Trump’s announcement of a “digital asset stock” under his administration’s newly unveiled crypto executive order. Although many observers expected a “Bitcoin Strategic Reserve” to be declared, the broader term is sparking discussions about whether assets beyond Bitcoin — particularly XRP — will be included in U.S. national digital asset holdings.
Jason B. Lurie, a US Space Force officer and aerospace engineer known for his respected thesis tying Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism into a form of national security infrastructure, put himself to the question if it was likely that the Trump administration would add other crypto assets to its “digital asset stockpile.” Besides Bitcoin.
Why Bitcoin and not XRP
in mail On Although he did not specifically name XRP, Lowery’s references to a “Meme Coin” or “one controlled by an American CEO” could be interpreted as a veiled reference to XRP or any cryptocurrency run by a US-based entity.
In his own words: “Do you really think Brics is interested in adding a memecoin to its reserves, controlled by a US CEO? Do you think they would choose a USD stablecoin issued by a US company trying to position itself as the new reserve bank on the cycle?”
He added: “Or is it more likely to adopt a currency that has been relentlessly denounced and condemned by the United States for more than 15 years precisely because it operates outside the scope of American control? A currency that guarantees sovereign access to block space, and ensures that transactions are not planned or denied, provided To continue to have the physical strength and infrastructure they have already invested in.”
Lowry’s statements underscore his overall thesis that Bitcoin has strategic properties that appeal to countries outside the US sphere of influence, particularly because of its censorship-resistant architecture. In his opinion, this puts Bitcoin in a unique position on the global geopolitical chessboard.
Lowry’s crucial question is less about technological merit and more about geopolitical choice. He claims that when it comes to making up the next “global reserve assets,” the ultimate deciding factor is what other countries want — especially competitors and potential adversaries like China or Russia. Explain:
“The next global reserve asset will, by definition, be assets chosen by other countries – especially our global competitors. The BRICS will certainly favor the asset that offers the greatest independence from US influence – the one that is clearly censorship-resistant, clearly decentralized, and sovereign. “One who hasn’t been crippled by Cringey, the wannabe American influencer.”
His take on the US crypto community is clear: Favoring an asset domestically is not enough if adversaries see no strategic reason to adopt it. Lowry emphasized the importance of assessing whether foreign governments would realistically add significant amounts of certain digital assets to their state reserves. Otherwise, he suggests, advocating for any other currency — especially one associated with U.S. authorities or corporate entities — may be a futile exercise that could “inadvertently undermine future security in this nation.”
While the Trump administration has not yet clarified whether any crypto beyond Bitcoin will be included in the US “digital asset stock,” Ripple advocates remain hopeful. They claim that regulatory clarity around XRP and continued partnerships with financial institutions may finally secure its status as a recognized strategic asset.
However, according to Lowery, global trends – especially the actions of the Brics – have outpaced any local optimism. If countries in the BRICS bloc and beyond decide that Bitcoin’s decentralization and censorship resistance gives a distinct geographic advantage, they could choose to embrace it en masse. In Lowry’s view, this potential international preference for Bitcoin would force the United States to consolidate its holdings or risk a strategic disadvantage:
“If you cannot say with confidence that countries like China or Russia will add massive amounts of your favorite crypto assets to their strategic reserves, then you are not being believed — and you are undermining the future security and prosperity of this nation.”
At press time, BTC was trading at $99,293.
Featured image created with dall.e, Chart from TradingView.com
