XRP in U.S. Crypto Reserve Was Not Trump’s Idea: Here’s The Truth

New politico reports suggest that XRP’s inclusion in President Donald Trump’s official crypto reserve may not have been entirely his decision. According to emerging sources, high-profile lobbyist Brian Ballard may have played a key role in influencing Trump behind the scenes to add XRP to the list.

Was Trump Misled About XRP?

In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to establish the Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets – a move aimed at shaping the future of crypto policy in the United States.

On March 2, Trump took to Truth Social to announce that Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and XRP would be part of the US Crypto Strategic Reserve. Just days later, on March 6, he signed another executive order to create a dedicated Bitcoin reserve along with a broader Digital Asset Stockpile for select altcoins.

But recent reports suggest XRP wasn’t originally on that list. Sources now claim its inclusion was the result of behind-the-scenes lobbying.

Ripple Lobbying Scandal: What’s the Buzz?

Insiders allege that Brian Ballard, a well-connected lobbyist, used his strong relationship with Ripple to sway the decision. Documents show Ballard received at least $60,000 from Ripple in 2024, raising questions about the true motivations behind XRP’s sudden placement in Trump’s crypto plan.

The revelations have fueled speculation across both political and crypto communities about how much private influence is shaping public policy in the digital asset space.

Will XRP Be Dropped?

While the White House has not made an official statement, sources close to the matter say Trump has since distanced himself from Ballard, believing he was misled about XRP’s inclusion.

Still, it appears unlikely that Trump will remove XRP from the reserve immediately. His ongoing ties with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who was a major donor to Trump’s campaign and inauguration fund, may be one reason why.

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XRP Price Performance in 2025

• January: +46%
  
• February: –29.3%
  
• March: –2.52%
  
• April: +4.98%
  
• May (so far): +5.33% to $2.31
  
• 30-Day Growth: +2.1%
  
• 24-Hour Surge: +6.3%
  

Despite political turbulence, XRP continues to trade bullishly, suggesting that market confidence remains intact, at least for now.

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