Key Takeaways
- Brad Garlinghouse advocates for a diverse US digital asset reserve, not Bitcoin-only.
- Critics argue Bitcoin's unique properties make it ideal for a national reserve.
- Garlinghouse calls for crypto industry unity despite escalating tensions.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has spoken out against proposals for a US digital reserve limited solely to Bitcoin.
In a Jan. 28 post on X (formerly Twitter), Garlinghouse argued that such a reserve should include multiple cryptocurrencies to capture the diversity of the digital asset industry.
Garlinghouse wrote:
If a govt 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).
Bitcoin reserve debate
The idea of a Bitcoin-only reserve has gained traction among crypto advocates.
VanEck’s head of research, Mathew Sigel, described Bitcoin as uniquely suitable for a government reserve, arguing it would strengthen the U.S. dollar and promote national economic interests.
Call for unity
However, Garlinghouse criticized this approach as outdated, urging industry unity.
He stated:
The crypto industry has a real shot to achieve shared goals, IF we work together instead of tearing each other down.
Industry response
Garlinghouse’s stance has drawn criticism from Bitcoin supporters, including Zap CEO Jack Mallers, who accused Ripple of lobbying against a Bitcoin reserve.
Others, like Riot VP Pierre Rochard, argued that reserves should be strategically focused on Bitcoin’s specific properties, not multiple assets.
Looking forward
Despite tensions, Garlinghouse reaffirmed Ripple’s commitment to an inclusive regulatory framework supporting all digital assets, including Bitcoin.
