The U.S. government is making a big move in the crypto space—but not in the way most expected. President Donald Trump recently confirmed that while the U.S. won’t actively buy more altcoins, it will create a stockpile of digital assets it acquires through legal means.
This United States Digital Asset Stockpile will include XRP, Ethereum, Cardano, and Solana. However, the government has made it clear—it won’t be making additional purchases beyond what it receives through legal actions.
This announcement has sparked fresh speculation, especially around XRP’s role in all of this. Crypto analyst Yassin Mobarak believes this could mean the U.S. government may soon hold XRP for the first time, thanks to Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC.
Ripple’s SEC Fine: Could It Be Paid in XRP?
Ripple was recently fined $125 million by the SEC for improperly selling XRP. To manage this, Ripple proposed placing the amount in escrow—a request the SEC agreed to under a court-approved deal. However, it’s unclear if the funds are being held in U.S. dollars or XRP.
Mobarak believes that since the government is setting up a Stockpile account for high-liquidity digital assets, there’s a real chance the SEC could accept Ripple’s fine in XRP instead of cash. If this happens, it would mean that for the first time, the U.S. government would own XRP.
This could be a huge deal because if the government holds XRP, it would have a reason to see its value grow. That could mean fewer regulatory roadblocks and XRP finally being able to function the way it was meant to in the U.S.
Jeremy Hogan’s Legal Take
Legal expert Jeremy Hogan weighed in on Mobarak’s theory, stating that while the SEC’s penalty is officially denominated in USD, Ripple could still argue for a payment in XRP under the right circumstances. He cites the 1869 Supreme Court case Willard v. Tayloe, where the Court allowed a contractual obligation to be settled in gold rather than dollars in the interest of fairness.
Though Ripple’s case is different, Hogan suggests that if both parties agree, Ripple could transfer an equivalent amount of XRP to a government-controlled address instead of paying in cash.
However, a major obstacle remains—Ripple’s fine is a penalty that must typically go to the U.S. Treasury. But since the Treasury is also overseeing the XRP stockpile, Hogan believes this may not be a roadblock after all.
What Does This Mean for XRP?
If Ripple does end up paying its fine in XRP, it could be a game-changer. With the U.S. government officially holding XRP, its interests could align with the XRP community, possibly leading to less regulatory pressure and more widespread adoption. While nothing is set in stone, this is a development worth watching.
