Pro-XRP lawyer John E. Deaton has shared his views on former President Donald Trump’s executive order (EO) regarding a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). The EO has sparked debate among cryptocurrency investors and traders, as it confirms that the reserve will only contain Bitcoin obtained through legal forfeitures rather than government purchases.

Pro XRP Lawyer John Deaton Comments on Strategic Bitcoin Reserve

In an X post responding to investor Scott Melker, Pro-XRP lawyer John E. Deaton acknowledged concerns within the crypto community regarding the EO. While some traders expected the U.S. government to actively buy Bitcoin and other digital assets, Deaton emphasized that the EO is as aggressive as a president can be without emergency powers.

The pro-XRP lawyer explained that the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) grants the U.S. Treasury Secretary broad authority to hold financial assets to stabilize markets. However, he noted that any direct government Bitcoin purchase could face legal challenges. 

Deaton stated,

“I’m not suggesting that Secretary Bessent will be buying BTC tomorrow, because, no doubt, it would be challenged in Court.”  

Pro-XRP lawyer John E. Deaton also pointed out that more extreme actions, such as invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) or the Defense Production Act, would be unrealistic.

Crypto Market Reaction to the Executive Order

Following the yesterday’s announcement, cryptocurrency prices experienced a decline. Bitcoin price fell as much as 6.6% before rebounding slightly to around $89,000. Other digital assets, including Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, and XRP, also recorded losses.

Investors had anticipated that the U.S. government might purchase Bitcoin, leading to increased demand. Trump’s earlier social media post suggested that various cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, and Solana, could be part of a strategic reserve. However, the EO clarified that the government would not acquire additional assets beyond those seized by law enforcement.

The executive order also introduced a separate national digital assets stockpile for non-Bitcoin tokens. However, the White House did not specify which cryptocurrencies would be included or how they would be managed.

Bitcoin’s Role in U.S. Financial Strategy

Supporters of the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve argue that Bitcoin serves as a valuable asset similar to gold. Some believe that holding Bitcoin could provide financial stability and act as a hedge against inflation.

White House advisor David Sacks referred to the reserve as a “digital Fort Knox,” reinforcing the idea that the government sees Bitcoin as a store of value rather than an active investment.

Sacks estimated that the U.S. holds around 200,000 Bitcoins, worth approximately $17.8 billion. He assured transparency regarding the government’s digital asset holdings and stated that the U.S. would not sell its Bitcoin from the reserve. Despite this, financial analysts view the move as largely symbolic, as there is no clear plan to expand the holdings through new acquisitions.

Implications for Crypto Regulation and Global Adoption

Industry experts believe that the establishment of a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve reduces the likelihood of a U.S. government crackdown on Bitcoin. Matt Hougan, the Bitwise CIO, noted that the move could encourage other nations to create similar reserves.

“The U.S. will not ban Bitcoin. This increases the likelihood that other nations will follow suit,” Hougan posted on X. He added that the decision could accelerate global Bitcoin adoption and make it harder for institutions to argue against holding digital assets.

Moreover, with the White House hosting major crypto industry leaders, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, discussions on digital asset policies are expected to continue. While the EO may not have met all investor expectations, it signals a shift in the U.S. government’s approach to Bitcoin and digital assets.

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Filed under: News - @ March 7, 2025 5:24 pm