Michael Saylor, chairman of Strategy and a prominent Bitcoin advocate, stirred the cryptocurrency community by asserting that Bitcoin is the only neutral asset suitable for a U.S. strategic crypto reserve. Speaking on Fox Business Network’s “The Claman Countdown,” Saylor emphasized Bitcoin’s decentralized nature, positioning it as a foundational element of the digital economy. In contrast, he described Ripple’s XRP as a “digital token,” highlighting its distinction from Bitcoin’s issuer-free status.
Saylor’s remarks come as the U.S. government explores establishing a national cryptocurrency reserve, a concept gaining momentum under President Donald Trump’s administration. The U.S. currently holds about 200,000 Bitcoin, valued at roughly $17 billion as of early March 2025, primarily from law enforcement seizures. Saylor argued that Bitcoin’s lack of an issuer makes it a “universally agreed-upon” asset, with “99% of the energy and capital” in crypto gravitating toward it. He views it as a digital commodity, ideal for securing wealth long-term.
The Strategy chairman’s stance fuels debate over which cryptocurrencies should anchor a U.S. reserve. While acknowledging the potential of tokens like XRP, Solana, and Cardano, Saylor maintained that their ties to issuers differentiate them from Bitcoin’s neutrality. “XRP is attached to a company, Ripple. Those are tokens,” he said, suggesting they offer “digital utility” for smaller firms rather than serving as reserve assets. Though he called them “interesting,” he stressed a national reserve should prioritize a commodity-like asset without counterparty risk.
This position reflects a slight shift in Saylor’s views. Previously a Bitcoin maximalist—once labeling XRP an “unregistered security” during its SEC battle—he recently described Trump’s multi-coin reserve proposal as “bullish” for the U.S. crypto industry. Trump’s March 2 Truth Social post confirmed plans for a reserve including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano, diverging from Bitcoin-only ideas. The announcement followed a January executive order tasking a Presidential Working Group with evaluating a “national digital asset stockpile.”
Saylor sees Bitcoin as “digital land” the U.S. must secure for financial dominance. “If you get there first…before the foreigners, the U.S. can own it and benefit,” he warned, likening it to historical land grabs. Strategy, holding 439,000 BTC worth over $42.6 billion as of March 2025, embodies this vision. The company’s portfolio, built through debt and bond sales, has boosted its market cap and earned a Nasdaq 100 spot in December 2024. Saylor predicts Bitcoin’s market cap could hit $20 trillion, growing 20% annually—an ambitious case for a national reserve.
Not everyone agrees. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong supports Bitcoin’s reliability but hasn’t opposed altcoins in reserves. Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson defended XRP’s inclusion, citing its regulatory resilience. Critics like Peter Schiff, however, dismiss using crypto to tackle the $36.22 trillion U.S. debt, calling Saylor’s ideas impractical.
Ahead of the White House Crypto Summit on March 7, 2025, hosted by Trump and chaired by David Sacks, Saylor’s influence faces scrutiny. The event will gather industry leaders to shape the reserve’s future. Saylor urges regulatory clarity, warning that ambiguity could cede digital dominance to rivals like China. His view—that Bitcoin alone qualifies as a neutral reserve asset—sharpens the divide between Bitcoin purists and diversified reserve advocates, with XRP’s “token” label underscoring the nuanced roles cryptocurrencies may play in America’s financial strategy.
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