Former Cardano COO Warns Against National Bias in US Crypto Reserve Strategy

The U.S. digital asset stockpile debate often leans toward prioritizing domestically developed cryptocurrencies, but Jerry Fragiskatos, former Cardano executive, cautions against this limited perspective.

COO Warns Against Geographically Narrow Focus

The discussion surrounding the United States’ digital asset stockpile often gravitates toward a natural instinct: favoring cryptocurrencies developed within its own borders. However, as Jerry Fragiskatos, former chief commercial officer (COO) for Cardano and now at Apex Fusion, recently articulated, such a geographically narrow focus risks overlooking superior technology and the fundamentally global nature of blockchain.

Fragiskatos believes this is particularly pertinent as the Trump administration actively shapes its approach to a national digital asset reserve. He emphasized that while a preference for domestic innovation is understandable, especially for strategic digital infrastructure, blockchain’s very essence is global.

“Some of the most impactful open-source contributions have come from distributed teams with no centralized base,” he noted, highlighting that talent and innovation in this space transcend national boundaries. He argued that evaluating digital assets should be based on merit — security, decentralization, economic design, and resilience — rather than their place of origin. His analogy to Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), a universally accepted standard not built in a single jurisdiction, underscores the idea that effectiveness should be the ultimate arbiter.

The former Cardano COO’s nuanced view contrasts with the seemingly protectionist approach being pushed by some U.S.-based crypto entrepreneurs. The perception that the latter approach is viewed favorably by the U.S. government was amplified after U.S. President Donald Trump shared a post that identified Cardano’s ADA, XRP, and Solana among cryptocurrencies to be included in the digital asset stockpile.

ADA Inclusion in Digital Asset Stockpile

Although the Trump administration appeared to backpedal on this after the social media post sparked controversy and insider trading allegations, an Executive Order signed by Trump on March 6 stipulated that the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile would comprise cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin that have been forfeited by the government. The move demonstrates the Trump administration’s pragmatic approach that recognizes the existing and forfeited digital assets the government holds, regardless of their origin.

This aligns with Jerry Fragiskatos’ argument for evaluating assets on their technical merits, ensuring the U.S. does not miss out on “better technology” by focusing too narrowly on geographical boundaries in the rapidly evolving global landscape of blockchain.

Reflecting on the possible inclusion of ADA in the digital asset stockpile, Fragiskatos said such a move would be a significant validation for the Cardano platform, especially given that it sometimes faces criticism from other blockchain platforms. He also suggests that such a decision would reflect an evolution in how public bodies evaluate digital assets.

“The decision would also reflect an evolution in the way public bodies assess digital assets — not simply on market cap or popularity, but on architectural soundness and use case alignment. It could help set a precedent for considering the broader utility and societal value of a protocol, not just its liquidity profile,” Fragiskatos argued.

Meanwhile, in written answers to questions from Bitcoin.com News, the former Cardano COO also shared his thoughts on why the much-discussed blockchain interoperability remains elusive. He points to technical hurdles in securely and reliably transferring value and data across different chains as the possible reason explaining why the blockchain landscape is still largely fragmented.

Another problem, Fragiskatos asserts, is the fragmented relationship between settlement layers and application layers. He notes that in ecosystems like Ethereum, value often moves to Layer 2 networks or sidechains, leaving the base layer with reduced direct utility. This dynamic leads to “fragmentation and leakage,” where the chain providing the security does not adequately capture the corresponding economic activity.

Fragiskatos, now a core contributor at Apex Fusion, concludes that genuine interoperability requires addressing this value alignment, ensuring that the foundational layers remain robust while enabling seamless and secure cross-chain interactions.

Federated Multichain Architecture Emerges as The Answer

The pursuit of a blockchain solution that overcomes some of the hurdles identified by Fragiskatos birthed the concept of a federated multichain architecture, which is a system where multiple, often independent, blockchain networks are interconnected. Under such an architecture, blockchain networks communicate with each other, but their interoperability is managed or facilitated by a federation or a consortium of participants.

Therefore, instead of competing or duplicating effort, blockchain networks cooperate under a federated model that preserves security and coherence.

“The key distinction here is intent. Rather than retrofitting interoperability onto existing networks, a federated design builds it into the architecture from the ground up,” Fragiskatos stated.

Aside from the direct benefits that accrue to blockchain networks, improved interoperability between chains can potentially kickstart the next phase of Web3 growth. For developers, it means they will no longer be “forced” to pick a chain and accept its limitations.

“Instead, they will be able to compose applications that draw on the strengths of multiple ecosystems — robust identity from one, smart contracts from another, liquidity from a third,” the core contributor explained.

True blockchain interoperability also means a much smoother experience for users, who will benefit from needing fewer wallets, encountering less friction in transactions, and having more choices. For businesses, it signifies a maturing Web3 landscape. Instead of disparate, experimental blockchain “islands,” a truly interoperable Web3 will function more like a scalable, modular operating system for all digital infrastructure.