Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has sparked intense debate in the crypto community by advocating for a U.S. digital asset reserve that represents multiple cryptocurrencies. His remarks follow President Donald Trump’s consideration of creating a national crypto reserve, which has stirred both optimism and criticism across the industry.

Garlinghouse’s Call for a Multichain Approach

Garlinghouse emphasized the need for inclusivity in a government-backed digital reserve. “I own XRP, BTC, and ETH, among a handful of others—we live in a multichain world,” he stated on X. “If a government digital asset reserve is created, I believe it should be representative of the industry, not just one token (whether it be BTC, XRP, or anything else).”

He also addressed the issue of “maximalism,” which promotes the exclusivity of a single cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. “Maximalism remains the enemy of crypto progress,” he added, expressing satisfaction that fewer individuals now support this outdated mindset.

Ripple has been working with regulators to ensure legal clarity around XRP’s role in cross-border payments. Despite criticism, Garlinghouse reiterated the importance of collaboration. “The crypto industry has a real shot, here and now, to achieve the many goals we have in common IF we work together instead of tearing each other down,” he wrote.

Bitcoin Maximalists Push Back

Garlinghouse’s multichain vision has drawn sharp criticism from Bitcoin advocates. Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Research at Riot Platforms, accused Ripple of potential rug and pump activity.

“Sources say Ripple has been moving billions of XRPs to exchanges over the past six months to prepare the rug dump after the artificial pump, same game plan as last time.” Pierre Rochard said in a tweet.

Rochard’s sentiments were echoed by Messari CEO Ryan Selkis, who argued that Bitcoin’s unique attributes make it the only logical choice for a reserve. Selkis stated, “Ripple’s lobbying efforts are emblematic of why a national crypto reserve should not include anything other than Bitcoin.”

Bitcoin maximalists like Samson Mow Echo have expressed their view on the sentiment, criticizing XRP for its centralized structure and questioning its place in a national reserve.

Other critics, like Bitvolt CEO Nico Moran, claim Ripple prioritizes its own interests over the broader crypto community. Some Bitcoiners accuse Ripple of undermining efforts to establish Bitcoin’s dominance in the U.S. reserve system.

U.S. State-Level Adoption Gains Momentum

Amid the ongoing debates, many states in the US have made strides toward creating a state-level Bitcoin reserve. Wyoming’s Republican legislator proposed a bill for a 3% state reserve for Bitcoin.

Arizona now becomes the 1st US state to vote on the “Strategic Bitcoin Reserve” bill, which will now move to a floor vote. Crypto advocate Dennis Porter hailed the move as a “major milestone,” emphasizing Bitcoin’s scarcity and decentralized nature.

While XRP continues to face criticism, the broader crypto market remains volatile. XRP recovered to $3.11 after recent declines, with 24-hour trading volume surging 266%. Analysts, however, predict temporary price corrections before further recovery.

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