XRP’s inclusion in Trump’s Crypto Strategic Reserve raises questions about lobbying influence, but its market performance remains strong - IcoHolder.

New reports are raising questions about the inclusion of XRP in US President Donald Trump’s proposed Crypto Strategic Reserve. Emerging political sources suggest that the decision may not have been entirely Trump’s own, but rather influenced by lobbyist Brian Ballard, who allegedly used his connections to Ripple to ensure the cryptocurrency's place in the plan.

In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. On March 2, he announced via Truth Social that XRP, along with Solana, Cardano, Ethereum, and Bitcoin, would be included in the official US Crypto Strategic Reserve. This move was followed by another executive order on March 6, establishing a reserve for Bitcoin and a US Digital Asset Stockpile for select altcoins, including XRP.

However, political insiders are now claiming that XRP was not initially part of Trump’s plan. Sources suggest that lobbyist Brian Ballard, a prominent figure with close ties to Ripple, played a significant role in pushing for XRP's inclusion. Documents indicate that Ballard received at least $60,000 from Ripple in 2024, raising questions about whether financial influence was a factor in the decision.

The controversy has sparked widespread speculation, with many in both political and crypto circles questioning whether Trump was misled. While the White House has not commented publicly on the matter, sources suggest that Trump may be distancing himself from Ballard after realizing he was potentially deceived.

Despite the political turbulence surrounding XRP's inclusion, experts believe that the cryptocurrency is unlikely to be removed from the strategic reserve in the immediate future. This is largely due to Trump’s continued strong ties with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who was a significant donor to Trump’s campaign and inauguration fund.

On the market front, XRP’s performance in 2025 has shown notable volatility. After a 46% rise in January, the coin saw a 29.3% dip in February, followed by more modest declines in March and April. However, in May, XRP has seen a positive uptick of 5.33%, bringing its price to $2.31. Despite the political storm, XRP continues to show bullish market trends, with a 30-day growth of 2.1% and a 24-hour surge of 6.3%, suggesting that investor confidence remains relatively stable for now.

As political and market dynamics continue to unfold, all eyes will be on whether XRP’s future in the US Crypto Strategic Reserve remains secure.