Ripple CEO Takes on Bitcoin Maximalists in XRP Reserve Debate

Over the weekend, debate flared within the crypto community regarding the possible inclusion of other cryptocurrencies apart from Bitcoin in a proposed U.S. digital asset reserve, with XRP catching the most flak.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has now responded to the criticism, defending XRP’s potential role while denouncing the divisive nature of maximalism in the crypto space.

A Call for Unity

The Ripple exec took to X on Monday, stressing the need for collaboration within the crypto industry, which he described as a “multichain world.” His post read:

“The crypto industry has a real shot to achieve common goals if we work together instead of tearing each other down. This is not, and never will be, a zero-sum game.”

Claiming he has always advocated for a level playing field instead of pitting tokens against each other, Garlinghouse let it be known that apart from XRP, he holds multiple other assets, including BTC and ETH.

He also stated his belief that if the U.S. government created a digital asset reserve, then it should represent the entire industry rather than just one token.

“Maximalism remains the enemy of crypto progress,” he added, expressing relief at its waning influence in the community.

However, his message did not go unchallenged, meeting resistance from Bitcoin maxis, who accused him of hypocrisy and corporate maneuvering.

Michelle Weekly, a BTC advocate and crypto company exec, responded harshly, claiming the Ripple CEO did not represent anything good or new in the industry.

“Maximalism is not the enemy, you are the enemy,” she declared, alleging that Ripple had lobbied against Bitcoin’s inclusion in U.S. reserves and supported unfavorable regulatory measures during the previous administration.

Trump Executive Order Sparks Debate

The controversy comes amid broader discussions on whether the United States should establish a digital asset reserve and, if so, which cryptocurrencies to include. President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to explore the inclusion of various cryptocurrencies in the national stockpile. This move set BTC proponents and the rest of the crypto industry against each other.

Messari founder Ryan Selkis was among the loudest voices against coins like XRP and Solana becoming a part of the reserve, calling it “toxic” and insisting on BTC being the only representative.

Strike CEO Jack Maller also posted a video on X where he addressed what he called Ripple’s “anti-Bitcoin agenda.” He argued that Bitcoin’s unique attributes as a decentralized asset make it the only viable candidate for a strategic stockpile.

“Bitcoin, as a decentralized network, represents freedom and resilience. XRP, on the other hand, is centralized and corporate-controlled. Including it in any U.S. reserve would undermine the principles of economic sovereignty,” said Maller.