Solana Co-Founder Rejects Idea of Government-Run Crypto Reserve

Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana, has voiced strong opposition to President Trump’s proposed plan for a U.S. national crypto reserve. In his recent statements, Yakovenko emphasized that such a move would undermine the core principle of decentralization by giving control to the government. The Solana co-founder made it clear that if the cryptocurrency space were to be governed by centralized powers, it would go against the very essence of what decentralized networks aim to achieve.

Yakovenko’s rejection of the idea of a government-controlled crypto reserve was explicitly stated in a post where he remarked, “No reserve, because if you want decentralization to fail you’d put the government in charge of it.” His criticism highlights the potential risk of centralization, which could strip the crypto ecosystem of its foundational autonomy and freedom.

While Trump’s plan involves including major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, and Solana in the reserve, Yakovenko was clear in confirming that he had not been consulted about whether Solana (SOL) would be part of the list. He also elaborated on how any reserve, if it had to be created, should be based on “objectively measurable requirements,” ensuring that the process remains fair and decentralized for all parties involved. These requirements could potentially be constructed in a way that only Bitcoin might satisfy for now, but Yakovenko emphasized the importance of rationality and transparency in the selection process.

Interestingly, Yakovenko also expressed his support for state-run crypto reserves, as opposed to a national one. He argued that state-level reserves could serve as a “hedge against the Fed making a mistake,” providing a more localized and potentially safer approach to managing crypto assets. This statement aligns with the growing movement in U.S. states where Bitcoin strategic reserve bills have been introduced, with at least 26 states showing interest in such initiatives, according to the Bitcoin Reserve Monitor.

As the White House Crypto Summit, scheduled for March 7, approaches, Yakovenko’s stance on the issue has sparked further discussion within the crypto community. While it remains unclear if Yakovenko will attend the summit, other notable figures such as Strategy Chairman Michael Saylor, Kraken CEO Arjun Sethi, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong have confirmed their participation.

Meanwhile, rumors have circulated that Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse had urged President Trump to include Solana in the proposed crypto reserve to bolster the legitimacy of XRP’s inclusion. However, Yakovenko clarified that he was neither involved in pitching Solana for inclusion nor was he asked about it. He remains firm in his belief that the decentralization of cryptocurrencies should be maintained and that government control over crypto reserves could be a significant step backward for the entire industry.