President Trump’s new U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve—which includes BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, and ADA—could reshape global crypto adoption and inspire similar initiatives worldwide. However, for the reserve to promote genuine peer-to-peer use, it must include only cryptocurrencies that are truly decentralized, possess robust market capitalization, and remain free from lobby group influence—a standard Nuud Money already applies when choosing digital assets to ensure they empower everyday financial transactions rather than merely accumulating wealth for insiders.

Hello hello, mpumelelo at nuud here. In our last blog post, we questioned whether a U.S. Strategic Crypto Reserve would truly embody what Bitcoin was originally created for—namely, decentralized, peer-to-peer payments and self-custody. Today, as President Trump leads the nation with a new crypto reserve initiative that includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA), we need to double-click on one critical point inspired by the words of @naval on Twitter: Only cryptocurrencies that are truly decentralized and free from “lobby group” influence should be the bedrock of such an initiative.

This bold move by the U.S. is set to reshape the global crypto landscape. As nations observe America’s strategic embrace of digital assets, we can expect a ripple effect that spurs the creation of similar reserves worldwide. By establishing a formalized basket of crypto assets, the U.S. is not only boosting institutional confidence but also setting a benchmark for legitimacy and everyday adoption. However, a key question remains: Can a national reserve—built on the principles of decentralization and peer-to-peer interaction—truly catalyze the kind of widespread, grassroots usage that Bitcoin and its contemporaries were designed to enable?

Nuud Money, believes that true financial empowerment arises when digital assets are not just hoarded in government vaults but actively circulated in everyday transactions. We’ve applied stringent standards—true decentralization, significant market capitalization, and independence from centralized influence—when selecting the assets we offer our customers. If other nations follow suit, it is vital that they adopt similar rigorous benchmarks to ensure that these reserves promote genuine financial freedom rather than serving as tools for wealth concentration.

Bitcoin’s Original Vision vs. a Mixed Basket

Bitcoin was designed from the ground up to be:

• Decentralized: Free from central control, ensuring no single entity or group can dictate its rules.

• Peer-to-Peer: A currency that allows individuals to transact directly without intermediaries.

• Self-Custody Focused: Empowering users to take full control of their assets without relying on third parties.

A reserve that includes altcoins risks deviating from these founding principles. When we include cryptocurrencies that aren’t as decentralized—or worse, may be influenced by powerful lobby groups—it creates the potential for the reserve to be misused. There is a real concern that such a basket could enable individuals close to the president or those with political influence to exit positions and amass personal wealth, rather than truly supporting an open, decentralized financial ecosystem.

Why Only Bitcoin Should Lead the Charge

Simplicity is Key.
For the United States to set an example in global crypto adoption, the reserve should ideally be built on Bitcoin alone—the one asset that consistently upholds decentralization and transparency. Here’s why:

• True Decentralization: Bitcoin’s network is the most distributed and secure in the market, free from undue influence by any centralized power.

• Market Dominance: With the largest market capitalization and the most widespread adoption, Bitcoin stands as the de facto digital gold, but more importantly, as the original currency for peer-to-peer transactions.

• Alignment with Core Values: By focusing on Bitcoin, the reserve would remain true to the principles of financial freedom and individual sovereignty. It would help ensure that the crypto reserve isn’t just another tool for wealth extraction by insiders.

Defining the Criteria for Inclusion

If policymakers consider including any crypto beyond Bitcoin in the reserve, the selection must be grounded in objective metrics:

• Decentralization: Only assets that maintain a truly decentralized network should qualify.

• Market Cap and Liquidity: Sufficient size and robust market activity are essential for any asset considered for a national reserve.

• Absence of Centralized Control: Cryptocurrencies tainted by heavy-handed corporate or political influence should be excluded to preserve the integrity of the reserve.

Any deviation from these criteria undermines the transformative potential of a national crypto reserve. The aim should not be to facilitate easy exits for politically connected insiders or to foster centralized wealth accumulation but to promote a decentralized financial system that benefits all citizens.

The U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve offers a powerful opportunity to define national standards for digital assets. However, to truly empower everyday users and foster genuine peer-to-peer transactions, it is essential that only cryptocurrencies meeting stringent criteria—true decentralization, robust market capitalization, and independence from centralized influence—are included.

At Nuud Money, we’ve adopted these very standards when choosing the digital assets we offer our customers. This isn’t about favoring one asset over another; it’s about ensuring that our ecosystem remains aligned with the foundational principles of open, decentralized finance. By strictly applying these criteria, we can help safeguard against the misuse of the reserve and ensure that crypto remains a tool for financial empowerment, rather than a means for wealth accumulation by a select few.

Only by adhering to these rigorous standards can the reserve, and indeed the entire crypto ecosystem, deliver on its promise of enabling secure, efficient, and truly peer-to-peer financial interactions that benefit everyone.

mpumelelo .
nuud, inc.