On March 2, 2025, the cryptocurrency world was set ablaze when U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) would be included in a proposed U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve.
This unexpected move, which notably excluded Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) from the initial mention, triggered an explosive rally in the named altcoins, sending shockwaves through the market. Below, we explore the announcement’s implications, the market’s reaction, and what this could mean for the future of cryptocurrency in the United States.
Trump’s Bold Crypto Vision Unveiled
President Trump’s announcement marked a significant shift in the U.S. government’s stance toward digital assets. In his post, he stated, “A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the Presidential Working Group to move forward on a Crypto Strategic Reserve that includes XRP, SOL, and ADA.
I will make sure the U.S. is the Crypto Capital of the World. We are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” This came after Trump signed an executive order in January 2025, directing a working group to evaluate the feasibility of a national digital asset stockpile.
The decision to highlight XRP, SOL, and ADA—all tied to U.S.-based companies—over Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market cap, caught many by surprise. Trump followed up shortly after, clarifying that Bitcoin and Ethereum would also be central to the reserve, but the initial focus on altcoins sparked intense speculation and market activity.
Market Reaction: XRP, SOL, and ADA Soar
The crypto markets responded with unprecedented fervor within minutes of Trump’s post:
XRP: Ripple’s native token surged by over 34% within 24 hours, climbing from $2.14 to $2.89. Its market cap soared past $158 billion, overtaking Tether (USDT) to become the third-largest cryptocurrency. Analysts attribute this to XRP’s established use case as a bridge currency for cross-border payments and Ripple’s strong ties to U.S. financial institutions.
Solana (SOL): SOL, the high-performance blockchain’s token, jumped 25% to $175.25. After a challenging period marked by a 45% decline since the launch of Trump’s own memecoin, SOL’s inclusion in the reserve breathed new life into its rally, reinforcing its reputation for scalability and speed.
Cardano (ADA): ADA stole the spotlight with a staggering 74% increase, rocketing from $0.63 to $1.10. This dramatic rise reflects renewed investor confidence in Cardano’s research-driven approach and its potential integration with Bitcoin DeFi, as well as its alignment with Trump’s vision.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin rose a more modest 7.6% to $91,539, and Ethereum gained 11.9% to $2,467, buoyed by Trump’s later clarification. The total crypto market cap reclaimed the $3 trillion mark, up 8.4% in a single day, signaling a broad bullish sentiment.
Why These Coins? A Strategic Choice
Trump’s selection of XRP, SOL, and ADA appears deliberate, rooted in both economic and political strategy:
U.S.-Centric Focus: All three projects—Ripple (XRP), Solana Labs (SOL), and Input Output Global (ADA)—are headquartered in the United States. This aligns with Trump’s “America First” agenda, prioritizing domestic innovation over decentralized, global projects like Bitcoin.
Dollar Supremacy: Analysts suggest Trump may be wary of Bitcoin’s potential to challenge the U.S. dollar’s dominance. XRP, SOL, and ADA, while significant, pose less of a threat to fiat sovereignty and could complement dollar-backed stablecoins, which Trump has previously endorsed.
Institutional Appeal: These altcoins have strong ties to institutional adoption. Ripple’s partnerships with banks, Solana’s scalability for enterprise use, and Cardano’s academic rigor make them attractive for a government-backed reserve.
The exclusion of Bitcoin and Ethereum from the initial announcement raised eyebrows, but Trump’s subsequent inclusion of them suggests a balanced approach, aiming to appease both altcoin advocates and Bitcoin maximalists.
Liquidations and Whale Activity
The sudden price spikes caught short sellers off guard, resulting in massive liquidations. According to CoinGlass, $356.36 million in positions were wiped out in 24 hours, with $248.67 million (69.52%) from short trades. The largest single liquidation occurred on HTX’s BTC-USDT pair, totaling $39.86 million.
Whales capitalized on the volatility. A notable trader with 50x leverage on BTC and ETH closed positions for a $6.8 million profit in a day, per Lookonchain data. Another whale, betting big on BTC, raked in $8.35 million as prices rebounded, underscoring the high-stakes game unfolding in the market.
What’s Next for the U.S. Crypto Reserve?
Trump’s announcement is just the beginning. The Presidential Working Group, led by crypto czar David Sacks and executive director Bo Hines, will flesh out the reserve’s framework. Key upcoming events include:
White House Crypto Summit (March 8, 2025): Trump will host industry leaders to discuss the reserve’s implementation, signaling strong government commitment.
Legislative Push: Senator Cynthia Lummis, a vocal Bitcoin advocate, continues to champion her own strategic Bitcoin reserve bill, which may merge with Trump’s broader vision.
Market sentiment is electric, with Polymarket odds of a Bitcoin reserve within Trump’s first 100 days rising to 17%. However, questions linger: Will the reserve prioritize altcoins long-term? How will it balance Bitcoin’s dominance with U.S.-based projects?
Conclusion: A New Era for Crypto?
Trump’s endorsement of XRP, SOL, and ADA has ignited a market explosion, reaffirming his influence over crypto’s trajectory. As prices soar and investors scramble, the U.S. appears poised to embrace digital assets like never before. Whether this bold move cements America as the “Crypto Capital of the World” remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the crypto rollercoaster just got a lot wilder.
Stay tuned as this story develops—2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for cryptocurrency.
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