Morgan Creek’s CEO Sees Potential Additions Of XRP, Cardano To U.S. Reserve

Billionaire and CEO of Morgan Creek Capital Management, Mark Yusko, has expressed optimism on the future of crypto assets like XRP and Cardano (ADA) in U.S. monetary policy.

Speaking on the Good Morning Crypto show earlier this week, Yusko, who oversees over $3 billion in digital assets, expressed optimism about these cryptocurrencies being included in the U.S. reserve assets under a Trump administration, in addition to Bitcoin.

“There’s some talk that XRP could be utilized and ordered to be used for a central bank digital currency or as the base layer for national banking,” Yusko said. Once a critic of XRP, he joined a growing list of industry veterans who acknowledged Ripple’s utility in reshaping the financial landscape.

Cardano’s ADA also featured prominently in Yusko’s vision. He commended ongoing efforts by blockchain leaders to engage with U.S. policymakers. “There’s a lot of talk that they’ll expand beyond just Bitcoin to include XRP and Cardano,” he said, pointing to the budding collaboration between blockchain innovators and government officials.

That said, if realized, including XRP and ADA in the U.S. reserve would mark a historic shift in monetary policy. XRP often referred to as the “bridge currency,” is celebrated for enabling fast, cost-effective cross-border transactions. On the other hand, Cardano’s proof-of-stake blockchain stands out for its focus on scalability, sustainability, and technological innovation.

Meanwhile, Yusko’s optimism comes amidst increasing tensions within the cryptocurrency community. Over recent weeks, a rift has grown between the XRP and Bitcoin communities. Some Bitcoin advocates have accused Ripple’s leadership, led by CEO Brad Garlinghouse, of promoting a centralized financial system that contradicts Bitcoin’s decentralized ethos.

Last week, Ryan Selkis, founder of blockchain analytics firm Messari, criticized Ripple, accusing the company of allegedly prioritizing political influence over crypto principles and labeling it a threat to Donald Trump’s proposed crypto agenda.

On Saturday, January 25, Jack Mallers, CEO of Bitcoin payments company Strike, also blasted Ripple, accusing it of undermining the principles of American prosperity, freedom, and Bitcoin itself.

“Ripple is actively lobbying to stop a Bitcoin Strategic Reserve in the U.S. while pushing their centralized, corporate-controlled token. We will not stand for it,” Mallers stated.

In contrast, the XRP community has fiercely defended Ripple, dismissing claims of centralization and accusing Bitcoin maximalists of spreading fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD).

“XRP is deflationary. It’s decentralized. Ripple isn’t anti-Bitcoin, and Brad Garlinghouse himself holds BTC,” an XRP community member tweeted, emphasizing the cryptocurrency’s significant use cases and adoption by banks worldwide.

As the debate intensifies, the question arises whether XRP and Cardano could eventually become part of U.S. reserve assets. Notably, while President Trump has yet to announce a Bitcoin reserve policy as anticipated, recent steps, such as signing a pro-crypto executive order on Thursday, have been seen as a step in the right direction.