Ripple CEO Challenges Maximalism, Calls for Crypto Unity and Multichain Growth

• Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse calls for crypto unity, rejecting maximalism to foster innovation in a multichain ecosystem.
• Garlinghouse supports a U.S. digital asset reserve, emphasizing diversity over exclusivity for crypto industry growth.
• Maximalism limits crypto progress, says Garlinghouse, urging collaboration to unlock blockchains full potential.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has long pushed back on crypto maximalism, instead urging unity across the industry to advance mutual interests. In particular, he said that whats important to the crypto sector is multichain, not some competition among Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP. His remarks come as discussions around a potential U.S. national digital asset reserve gain momentum.

Some thoughts on maximalism… let me say this as clearly as I can – the crypto industry has a real shot, here and now, to achieve the many goals we have in common, IF we work together instead of tearing each other down. This is not, and never will be, a zero-sum game.

Push for a Multichain Future

Garlinghouse advocates for a level-playing field, where all tokens receive equal opportunities for adoption and utility. He criticized maximalism, which prioritizes one cryptocurrency over others, as detrimental to industry progress. According to him, digital asset reserves should represent the broader industry, including diverse tokens, rather than favoring Bitcoin or XRP alone.

In addition to his long support for XRP, Garlinghouse owns Bitcoin and Ethereum, underlining his belief in a collaborative multichain approach. He further emphasized the need to eliminate divisive narratives within the crypto community for innovation to thrive.

Political Support and Industry Skepticism

President Trump‘s administration recently expressed interest in creating a national digital asset reserve. However, the proposal has faced skepticism from Bitcoin maximalists and policymakers. Riot Platforms’ Vice President, Pierre Rochard, argued that Bitcoins scarcity and decentralization make it the sole viable reserve currency.

On the other hand, critics allege that Ripple is lobbying for XRP‘s inclusion in such a reserve. Despite this, Garlinghouse remained firm on his stance that excluding other cryptocurrencies hinders the industry’s collective potential.

Additionally, Ryan Selkis, CEO of Messari, voiced support for Bitcoin, citing its advantages over other tokens. However, traders on decentralized platforms like Polymarket estimate only a 17% chance of the reserve materializing within Trumps first 100 days.

Industry Progress Hinges on Collaboration

The crypto markets future relies on fostering collaboration instead of tribalism. Garlinghouse believes maximalism is an outdated concept that restricts technological advancements. Hence, his focus on multichain inclusivity seeks to bridge gaps among various stakeholders.

Moreover, a well-structured national reserve could accelerate institutional adoption and inspire global economic transformation. Consequently, fostering a diverse ecosystem could position the U.S. as a leader in digital asset innovation.