Mark Yusko, billionaire and CEO of Morgan Creek Capital Management, recently sparked conversation in the cryptocurrency world by suggesting the potential inclusion of XRP and Cardano (ADA) in U.S. reserve assets. Speaking on the Good Morning Crypto show earlier this week, Yusko, who manages over $3 billion in digital assets, shared his vision of a future where these cryptocurrencies play a significant role in U.S. monetary policy, alongside Bitcoin.
“There’s some talk that XRP could be utilized and ordered to be used for a central bank digital currency or as the base layer for national banking,” Yusko remarked. This is a notable shift from his previous criticism of XRP, signaling his acknowledgment of Ripple’s growing influence in reshaping financial infrastructure.
Cardano’s ADA also featured prominently in Yusko’s outlook. He praised blockchain leaders for their proactive engagement with U.S. policymakers, emphasizing, “There’s a lot of talk that they’ll expand beyond just Bitcoin to include XRP and Cardano.” Yusko’s comments reflect the burgeoning collaboration between blockchain innovators and government officials, hinting at a transformative shift in how digital assets are perceived within the political landscape.
Should these ideas materialize, the inclusion of XRP and ADA in the U.S. reserve would represent a groundbreaking shift in monetary policy. XRP, often referred to as the “bridge currency,” is renowned for enabling fast, cost-efficient cross-border payments. Meanwhile, Cardano’s proof-of-stake blockchain is celebrated for its focus on scalability, sustainability, and technological advancement. These attributes align with the evolving needs of a modern financial system, making both assets compelling candidates for reserve status.
However, this optimism has not come without controversy. Tensions between XRP and Bitcoin advocates have escalated in recent weeks. Critics, including prominent figures within the Bitcoin community, have accused Ripple of promoting a centralized approach that undermines Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.
Jack Mallers, CEO of Bitcoin payments company Strike, recently condemned Ripple, alleging it lobbies against Bitcoin’s potential role in a U.S. Strategic Reserve while advancing what he described as a “centralized, corporate-controlled token.” In a pointed statement, Mallers declared, “Ripple is actively lobbying to stop a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve in the U.S. while pushing their centralized, corporate-controlled token. We will not stand for it.”
The XRP community, however, has been quick to counter these claims, defending Ripple’s decentralization and highlighting its widespread adoption by global banks. “XRP is deflationary. It’s decentralized. Ripple isn’t anti-Bitcoin, and Brad Garlinghouse himself holds BTC,” one XRP supporter tweeted, underscoring the asset’s practical use cases and its role in modernizing banking systems.
Amid this heated debate, the broader question looms: Could XRP and Cardano truly become integral to U.S. reserve assets? While President Trump has not yet introduced the much-anticipated Bitcoin reserve policy, his recent pro-crypto executive order has been viewed as a step toward integrating digital assets into the country’s financial strategy.
As these discussions unfold, Yusko’s optimistic vision serves as a reminder of the transformative potential that cryptocurrencies hold. Whether XRP and Cardano find their place in the U.S. reserve remains uncertain, but their inclusion could mark a historic milestone in the evolution of monetary policy, bridging the gap between traditional finance and the decentralized future.