Trump Furious With Ripple: XRP Causes Turmoil In America's Strategic Cryptocurrency Plan

In early March 2025, President Donald Trump revealed plans for a strategic cryptocurrency reserve fund for the United States to fulfill promises to enhance the country's position in the cryptocurrency space. The disclosure was made on Truth Social with the aim of strengthening the nation's dominance in the digital currency field.

Trump is said to have been very angry after hearing that the statement referring to XRP, Solana, and Cardano as reserve assets was written by a staff member at the lobbying group Ballard Partners, which has ties to Ripple. Bitcoin and Ethereum were not on the original list. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump believes that his platform has been used to link with Ripple's interests, harming his own interests. The president's reaction, reportedly very angry, led to a sudden rift with his longtime friend Brian Ballard, head of Ballard Partners. The Consequences Of This Affect Trump's Political Groups Ballard, who was previously seen as part of Trump's orbit, has quickly lost his standing. His power, which had previously benefited from being known as an insider and fundraiser, has diminished after his company played a role in the cryptocurrency declaration. The scandal is said to have diminished his standing in Trump's circle, raising questions about his position within the president's advisory circle. Despite the setbacks, Ballard Partners continues to sign contracts with clients. The company has signed over 100 new contracts since the 2024 election, including major names like Netflix, Bayer, and JP Morgan. Public documents show that the company earned over 14 million dollars in revenue in the early months of 2025, with no slowdown in business even as Ballard faced political setbacks. Meanwhile, rumors are spreading throughout the cryptocurrency community. Ripple's historical relationship with XRP has led some analysts to interpret Trump's initial tweet as an unofficial endorsement of the asset, even though Ripple does not have direct control over XRP. Company leaders had previously met with Trump, further fueling speculation about the president's stance. XRP, Solana, Cardano Surge After Trump's Move XRP, Solana, and Cardano surged by 4%, 7%, and 6% respectively following Trump's initial public statement, with buyers quickly acting on signals perceived from the White House. Both Ripple and Ballard Partners have no public information regarding this situation. A few weeks after the turmoil, Trump changed his stance. In the final weeks of March, he officially confirmed that Bitcoin and Ethereum would also be part of the reserve plan. By the end of that month, Trump signed an official executive order to establish the U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Fund, reaffirming his interest in witnessing the presence of the United States in the cryptocurrency space, even after the initial controversy. While the initial rollout led to internal conflicts and concerns about the strength of lobbying efforts, Trump's subsequent moves indicate an expansion strategy for digital assets. The backlash from the collaboration with Ripple may have shaken political relationships, but the administration's cryptocurrency initiatives continue.