XRP Could Join New Hampshire Crypto Reserve by 2026

XRP, one of the most recognized cryptocurrencies, may soon secure a spot in New Hampshire’s state-owned crypto reserve if specific conditions are met, according to legal expert Fred Rispoli.

On May 6, New Hampshire achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first U.S. state to officially authorize the creation of a cryptocurrency strategic reserve. This pivotal decision followed Governor Kelly Ayotte’s signing of House Bill 302 (HB 302) into law. The legislation provides the state treasurer with the authority to invest up to 5% of the state’s treasury in leading digital assets.

The bill specifically allows the purchase of any digital asset that has a market valuation exceeding $500 billion. At the moment, Bitcoin is the only cryptocurrency meeting that threshold, with its market cap well over $2 trillion. As such, Bitcoin is the only asset officially designated for inclusion in the reserve by default under the new legislation.

XRP’s Potential Eligibility Hinges on Market Growth

Attorney and Hodl Law founder Fred Rispoli believes that XRP has a realistic path to being included in New Hampshire’s digital asset reserve—provided it meets one key condition. Under HB 302, any cryptocurrency that reaches a valuation of $500 billion or more within a given year can be added to the reserve the following year.

Rispoli explains that if XRP crosses the $500 billion market capitalization threshold by the end of this year, it would become eligible for inclusion in 2026. As of now, XRP trades at $2.35 and holds a market capitalization of approximately $138.16 billion. This means the token would need to climb by roughly 262% to hit the required valuation.

Achieving a $500 billion market cap would also push the price per XRP token to around $8.53, assuming the circulating supply stays near 58.55 billion tokens. While the prospect is ambitious, it opens the door for XRP to potentially become part of a government-backed digital reserve.

National-Level Considerations for XRP

XRP’s inclusion in New Hampshire’s reserve isn’t the only institutional interest drawing attention. In March, then-President Donald Trump highlighted XRP among five cryptocurrencies that could be part of the first U.S. national crypto reserve. This announcement generated significant discussion in the crypto community about the evolving role of digital assets in nation-state finance.

However, a subsequent executive order signed by Trump officially established a Bitcoin reserve and a secondary altcoin stockpile, although it did not specify which altcoins would be included. Notably, the U.S. government announced it would not purchase additional altcoins, choosing instead to create the reserve using forfeited or seized cryptocurrencies.

Currently, there are no known government-controlled blockchain wallets holding XRP. Even so, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains confident that XRP will eventually be featured in the national digital asset reserve.

This outcome would likely depend on the government converting existing seized cryptocurrencies into XRP, making it a formally recognized asset in the U.S. crypto stockpile—a move that would align with the growing institutional regard for the token.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

In summary, although Bitcoin currently stands alone in New Hampshire’s digital asset reserve, the door remains open for XRP to join if it achieves the necessary market valuation. With increasing state- and federal-level discussions surrounding its inclusion, XRP continues to position itself as a significant contender in the evolving digital financial landscape.