As the U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion, it was publicly discussed whether a strategic reserve holding cryptocurrencies such as Ripple (XRP) and Bitcoin could help solve the debt problem. However, U.S. Vice President JD Vance did not endorse any specific cryptocurrency as a means of reducing the debt.

Vice President Vance: "I don't endorse any specific coin" — an answer with a caveat

According to overseas crypto media outlet CoinGape, Vice President Vance appeared on Newsmax's 'Carl Higbie Frontline' on August 20 (local time). The interview took place just hours after the U.S. national debt crossed $40 trillion.

On the broadcast, host Higbie asked Vice President Vance whether a crypto strategic reserve holding various digital assets such as Bitcoin and XRP could help reduce the growing U.S. debt. CoinGape reported that Vice President Vance did not endorse any specific coin as a way to reduce the country's total debt. However, it noted that his remarks came at a critical moment for crypto policy, drawing renewed investor attention to the direction of the U.S. government's cryptocurrency policy.

The solution: 'GDP growth and tariffs' — mention of Treasury Secretary Bessent's plan

According to CoinGape, in answering Higbie's question, Vice President Vance referred to the economic vision of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He told Newsmax, "He has a very deliberate plan, backed by the president, to get the American economy growing faster than its debt."

CoinGape reported that Vice President Vance also mentioned that one of the government's fiscal strategies involves an estimated $19 trillion in foreign investment expected over the next 10 years.

Vice President Vance acknowledged that the current level of U.S. debt is "too high." However, according to CoinGape, he indicated the problem should be addressed through GDP growth and tariff revenues rather than by deploying a crypto strategic reserve.

Secretary Bessent separately expressed a similar view on CNBC, saying, "There's nothing magic about the $40 trillion number, and we can grow our way out of this problem."

Why XRP came up: Trump's 'digital asset stockpile' remarks and Bitcoin 2025

CoinGape noted that the context for Higbie's mention of XRP was President Donald Trump's 2025 statement that various cryptocurrencies, including XRP and Bitcoin, could be considered for a digital asset stockpile.

According to CoinGape, Vice President Vance also referred to Bitcoin as a strategic asset for the United States at the Bitcoin 2025 event in Las Vegas, where he also praised stablecoin legislation as a means of strengthening American economic power.

Concerns over U.S. debt are not limited to the crypto market. CoinGape reported that investor Ray Dalio cited gold and Bitcoin as notable safe-haven assets in connection with the U.S. debt crisis, indicating that America's debt problem is increasingly influencing macroeconomic investment sentiment across both traditional financial markets and the crypto market.

Clarity Act headed for Senate vote on September 15

CoinGape reported that the Newsmax interview came shortly after a series of important policy developments surrounding XRP.

According to CoinGape, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse attended a White House crypto meeting on August 19 (local time) with President Trump, SEC Chairman Paul Atkins, and CFTC Chairman Caroline Pham. The meeting focused significantly on advancing the Clarity Act, which would establish the framework for digital asset markets. CoinGape reported that the bill faces a key Senate vote on September 15 (local time).

Previously, the CEOs of Ripple and Coinbase had also highlighted progress on the Clarity Act at a meeting in Washington. CoinGape described this as a sign of growing cooperation between Ripple's regulatory vision and the Trump administration's broader cryptocurrency policy direction.

"A signal, not a concrete policy commitment": XRP remains a recurring topic in politics

However, CoinGape noted that Vice President Vance's interview was closer to a signal of policy direction than a concrete policy commitment.

CoinGape reported that as the U.S. government continues its crypto-related meetings, legislation, and strategic reserve discussions, XRP has established itself as an asset consistently mentioned in American political circles. Regardless of whether the U.S. government formally adopts a crypto strategic reserve system, XRP's name keeps coming up in discussions of U.S. fiscal policy.

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