XRP News Today: XRP Surges 15% After Lobbyist's Role in U.S. Reserve Inclusion Revealed

XRP's inclusion in the U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve has been linked to the lobbying efforts of Brian Ballard, a renowned lobbyist with ties to Ripple. According to new allegations, Ballard played a pivotal role in influencing the decision to add XRP to the reserve, which was not part of President Donald Trump's original plan. This revelation sheds new light on Trump's crypto initiatives, which began with the establishment of the Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets in January 2025 and culminated in the announcement of the US Crypto Strategic Reserve in March 2025.

Political insiders claim that Ballard's efforts, driven by his ties with Ripple, were instrumental in securing XRP's place on the high-profile list. Documents confirm that the lobbyist received at least $60,000 from Ripple in 2024, although the reasons for the payment remain undisclosed. This has sparked controversy, with some reports suggesting that Trump has severed ties with Ballard after realizing the lobbyist misled him. However, analysts believe it is unlikely that the president would remove XRP from the US Strategic Crypto Stockpile, given his ties with Ripple's CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who donated significantly to Trump's campaign and inauguration funds.

Despite the controversy surrounding Ballard's role, XRP has shown a bullish market outlook, surging over 15% in the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency broke above a crucial $2.36 resistance on Friday morning, consolidating the bullish momentum. Analysts predict higher levels for XRP, considering the expected litigation withdrawal from the SEC, which would bring the longstanding regulatory complications surrounding the digital payment project to a conclusive end. At the time of reporting, XRP traded at $2.3737.

Trump insiders have stated that XRP's global utility supported its inclusion in the stockpile despite the political controversy. This aligns with Ripple's global use case, which has been a key factor in its inclusion in the U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve. The listing of XRP in the stockpile matches its global utility, as it is widely used for cross-border payments and remittances. This has fueled renewed market interest in XRP, as investors see its inclusion in the stockpile as a validation of its utility and potential for growth.