XRP Lobbyist Cut from White House Over Crypto Post

XRP is once again at the heart of a political shake-up after a lobbyist connected to the cryptocurrency lost White House access following a controversial Truth Social post. The incident highlights the increasing scrutiny on digital asset lobbying and Ripple’s delicate position within Washington’s corridors of power.

According to a Politico report, the source of the controversy was a post made in early March on Truth Social. The post proclaimed the formation of a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” and prominently featured XRP alongside several other altcoins. This message went viral and was allegedly authored by an employee from the lobbying firm headed by Brian Ballard, a powerful Washington figure with extensive connections to the Trump administration.

The fallout from the post was swift. Soon after its publication, Ballard’s standing within the White House took a major hit. The administration acted decisively, revoking access and banning staff from engaging with him, according to insiders. One White House official reportedly lashed out at Ballard in frustration, pointing to the breach in communication protocols as a tipping point.

What added fuel to the fire was the firm’s affiliation with Ripple Labs, the entity behind XRP. Ballard Partners, as lobbying filings show, was officially retained by Ripple back in November. The link between Ripple and the now-infamous social media post only emerged after the XRP-inclusive announcement caught significant public attention.

The controversial message pushed the idea of a nationwide digital assets reserve, featuring various cryptocurrencies. XRP, long considered a pioneer in the blockchain space through its banking and remittance use cases, saw a notable bump in attention—and briefly, in market sentiment—following the post. However, follow-up reports clarified that the proposed “strategic reserve” would be Bitcoin-exclusive, relegating other tokens like XRP to what was ambiguously referred to as a “stockpile.”

This misunderstanding created not just market turbulence but also political tension. It amplified internal dissatisfaction with Ballard, whose influence had already been waning. While he once enjoyed widespread access within the administration, this incident appeared to seal his fate. The inclusion of Ripple’s XRP by a lobbying firm so closely associated with the government triggered concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

This event underscores how digital asset lobbying has evolved into a high-stakes arena. Ripple had aligned itself with Ballard Partners in an effort to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, but the strategy now appears to have backfired. Beyond Ripple, companies like JPMorgan and Kraken have also used Ballard’s services, suggesting that the ramifications of this episode may affect broader relationships between crypto lobbyists and government entities.

Although Ripple has yet to make a formal statement regarding this White House development, the organization’s calculated political outreach could face increased caution going forward. As cryptocurrencies become more entwined with public policy, the importance of disciplined communication and clear lobbying practices cannot be overstated.

Moving ahead, the XRP community and Ripple stakeholders will likely monitor how this misstep impacts governmental relationships and perceptions. As Ripple continues to advocate for a clearer regulatory framework for XRP, these political mishaps serve as a reminder that miscommunication—especially with government figures—can carry consequences far beyond the digital asset market.

Ultimately, this episode marks a cautionary tale for both blockchain firms and those that represent them. Advocacy in Washington must be handled delicately. For XRP and Ripple, it’s another chapter in their ongoing journey through the volatile intersection of technology, finance, and politics.

Politico

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

as reported by U.Today