The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR) initiative has become the subject of controversy between Ripple Labs and its CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Pierre Rochard who serves as VP of Research at Riot Platforms.
Rochard believes Ripple directs its resources toward political influence to stop the SBR from being established because the company focuses on XRP protection instead of Bitcoin support.
Unless you are choosing to ignore the core tenants of the POTUS campaign (which aggressively supports American companies and technologies), our efforts are actually INCREASING the likelihood of a crypto strategic reserve (which includes bitcoin) happening.
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) January 23, 2025
Treasury, the Federal Reserve, or lawmakers like Elizabeth Warren, but with Ripple’s aggressive lobbying efforts.
He argues that Ripple’s actions are motivated by a desire to control the narrative around crypto and push for central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) based on their platform, often targeting Bitcoin mining under the Biden administration.
However, Garlinghouse refuted these claims by stating that Ripple’s activities advance the possibility of establishing a Bitcoin reserve. The progress toward a national digital asset stockpile stands as evidence of Trump’s administration backing American technology through his recent executive order.
Trump’s administration continues to make strides in the crypto world, including the appointment of pro-crypto figures to key regulatory positions. This aligns with his campaign promise to back innovation in the digital currency space, despite opposition from Bitcoin supporters.
Ripple’s defense highlights the complex dynamics surrounding the push for a Bitcoin reserve and its broader implications for the future of crypto.
[cryptotimes]