Peter Brandt Slams XRP, SOL, ADA in US Crypto Reserve—Calls It a Blow to Trump's Credibility

Peter Brandt Calls Trump’s Crypto Reserve a ‘Huge Defeat’ for True Crypto Fans

Veteran trader Peter Brandt, who has over five decades of market experience, has criticized President Donald Trump’s announcement of a U.S. crypto strategic reserve, which will include digital assets such as ethereum ( ETH), XRP, solana ( SOL), and cardano ( ADA) in addition to bitcoin ( BTC).

Brandt, known for his strong stance on bitcoin, shared his disapproval on social media platform X on March 4, stating:

By adding any other cryptos other than bitcoin to a reserve, Trump just lost 30% of his credibility with me. He lost 10% with the Trump Coin and 10% with Trump watch.

In a follow-up X post, he opined: “What a huge defeat for Trump’s credibility with true crypto fans.”

Trump’s initiative originally focused on creating a U.S. bitcoin strategic reserve but expanded on March 2 to include multiple altcoins. The administration presents this as a step toward financial innovation and an inflation hedge. However, details on the reserve’s operation remain unclear, raising questions about its broader financial role. The move underscores cryptocurrencies’ growing presence in government policy discussions.

In another X post, Brandt reiterated his stance on the inclusion of XRP and other altcoins, stating:

I could not be more serious about this. That Trump suggests that ETH and XRP should be part of a reserve has GREATLY destroyed his credibility with me. This shows a man with little to no discernment.

The crypto community remains split on Trump’s decision to recognize multiple digital assets. Supporters see it as a positive step, while bitcoin maximalists warn that including altcoins adds risk and volatility. Critics also question the selection process, raising concerns about favoritism and market manipulation.

Economist Peter Schiff challenged the need for a U.S. XRP reserve, while Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong favored a bitcoin-only approach but suggested a crypto index for diversification. Michael Saylor called the move a win for the industry, predicting bitcoin’s market cap could rise from $2 trillion to $200 trillion as global capital flows in. Meanwhile, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse described the reserve as a turning point for XRP, arguing it legitimizes the asset while condemning past SEC actions.