- BNB’s exclusion from the U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve sparks debate, with CZ hopeful for future inclusion.
- Analysts watch whether altcoin inclusion in the reserve affects Bitcoin’s dominance, given the U.S.’s large BTC holdings.
Binance’s native token, BNB, was excluded from the newly established U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve. The announcement, made by U.S. President Donald Trump, has sparked debate since the reserve will include top cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA).
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) has responded to the news, urging BNB holders to stay calm and assuring them that BNB’s inclusion could still happen. When Trump’s executive order was revealed, it named five major cryptocurrencies that would be part of the U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve.
Despite BNB’s $86 billion market cap, it was not included in the initial list. The exclusion of BNB raised eyebrows, particularly because the coin is among the top 10 cryptocurrencies globally by market capitalization.
The reserve, intended to help the U.S. stay competitive in the digital asset space, now contains Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. While the choice of these coins aligns with their market stature, the omission of BNB has led to speculation about why it didn’t cut.
Binance CEO’s Response
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao addressed the exclusion of BNB in a post on X. According to CZ, the cryptocurrencies chosen for the U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve are “clearly US coins,” referencing the fact that U.S.-based entities launched tokens like XRP and Solana. CZ supposes that the U.S. is likely testing the market with assets that have strong ties to the country, and BNB’s exclusion could be temporary.
Attention of all bag holders is on this one word now.
Chill guys. No need to overanalyze.
More “valuable crypto” are likely to be added over time.
More countries will follow.It’s a fantastic start of something really good. Be happy. Keep building. pic.twitter.com/rJY53G6s9n
— CZ
BNB (@cz_binance) March 2, 2025
In his statement, CZ reassured the community, urging BNB holders to “chill” and not overreact. He emphasized that Trump’s comment about “other valuable cryptocurrencies” being added in the future hints at the potential for BNB’s inclusion at a later stage.
CZ further pointed out that more countries are expected to establish their own Crypto Strategic Reserves in the coming months, possibly with BNB included.
Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump, also commented on the announcement, praising its timing. He noted that the decision came when traditional markets were closed, and Wall Street was “asleep,” making the announcement even more impactful.
Eric Trump suggested that this strategic move might signal a shift in the financial sector. He emphasized the need for traditional finance to adapt to the growing influence of digital assets.
I love the genius of announcing a strategic reserve on a Sunday, when traditional markets are closed and Wall Street sleeps. For the first time, retail investors win. Traditional finance better catch up, or it will quickly become extinct. The world no longer runs on a Mon-Friday,… pic.twitter.com/EPtbEisbdI
— Eric Trump (@EricTrump) March 3, 2025
Market Reaction and Future Outlook
As noted by ETHNews, the market experienced noticeable volatility following Trump’s announcement. Bitcoin, which had declined from over $100,000 to below $80,000 in recent weeks, saw a recovery, surpassing the $90,000 mark. Similarly, XRP, Solana, and Cardano posted gains.
Analysts are closely monitoring the U.S. Crypto Strategic Reserve, focusing on how it will be funded and whether the introduction of altcoins could reduce Bitcoin’s dominance. With the U.S. government already holding over 180,000 BTC, valued at approximately $18 billion, many speculate that including altcoins may impact Bitcoin’s role in the reserve.
The post BNB Left Out of US Strategic Reserve—Binance CEO Downplays Concerns appeared first on ETHNews.
