XRP vs Bitcoin: Rivalry Intensifies as US Considers National Crypto Reserve

Pro-crypto attorney Jeremy Hogan has highlighted the subtle competition within the broader digital currency ecosystem, particularly between XRP and Bitcoin (BTC). In a recent address to the XRP community, Hogan emphasized the fundamental differences between the two assets and urged XRP holders to adopt a more empathetic stance towards Bitcoin investors.

Hogan pointed out that Bitcoin was founded by Satoshi Nakamoto on the libertarian principle of self-custody, aiming to provide immunity to deflation and control. This core ideology has been somewhat diluted by the influx of corporate investors into the Bitcoin ecosystem since 2020. Major firms and asset managers now hold significant stakes in Bitcoin, and the US government has established a strategic Bitcoin reserve following an executive order. Hogan noted that these developments are at odds with Bitcoin's original ethos, which contrasts sharply with XRP's design for mainstream economic integration.

The conversation around a national crypto reserve, including XRP and other altcoins, has intensified. This debate reached a climax when the President announced the creation of a national crypto reserve, which initially included XRP, Cardano, and other altcoins. However, this proposal faced resistance from Bitcoin maximalists, leading to the eventual establishment of a Bitcoin-only reserve. Other altcoins were pitched for potential inclusion in the Sovereign Wealth Fund, but the debate underscored the renewed rivalry between the BTC and XRP ecosystems.

Despite Bitcoin's first-mover advantage and its pioneering role in the exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, the landscape may shift with the US Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) pro-crypto stance. Several asset managers are pushing for an XRP ETF product. With advanced negotiations for the Ripple lawsuit settlement underway, the prospects for an XRP ETF appear promising. If approved, this could attract increased institutional investment, potentially narrowing the liquidity gap between Bitcoin and XRP.