Howard Lutnick, the United States Secretary of Commerce, recently offered an unusual explanation of how certain products can reach the government without traditional procurement hurdles.
In a video shared on X by John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire), Lutnick described the role of what he called a “gratis vendor.” He said it is simply an approved vendor that gives products to the government rather than selling them.
He explained that this approach allows agencies to bypass lengthy approval procedures. If the government purchases a product, even for a token amount, it must enter what Lutnick called “government hell.” By contrast, a gratis vendor can provide technology or services directly at no cost, which federal agencies can adopt more quickly.
Lutnick gave a straightforward example. He noted that if he wrote software for the Commerce Department, he could provide it for free rather than sell it. The principle, he emphasized, is that giving avoids regulatory complications tied to procurement.
🇺🇸 XRP x U.S. Treasury 🇺🇸
This isn’t hype — it’s infrastructure 🧠
Ripple could hand $XRP over as code to the government.They won’t buy it… they’ll use it. ⚙️
Are you watching — or still sleeping? 👀 pic.twitter.com/D3HhGZqugM
— John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) September 10, 2025
A Pathway for XRP
The video gained traction after being shared by Squire, who highlighted its relevance to ongoing debates around XRP’s role in U.S. infrastructure. He suggested that the concept of gratis vendors could have direct implications for how the government might use the digital asset.
Lutnick’s comments imply that if a digital asset or related technology were provided without direct sale, federal agencies could integrate it without triggering the full weight of procurement regulations.
This distinction matters because it demonstrates one possible pathway for blockchain adoption within government systems, particularly in areas such as payments, compliance, or data security.
For a digital asset suppressed by unnecessary regulatory attempts, this approach would save XRP from further regulatory hurdles while letting U.S. citizens fully enjoy its benefits.
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Will the Government Use XRP?
Squire argued that XRP could be provided to the U.S. government in a manner consistent with the gratis vendor model. Rather than purchasing XRP or associated code, Ripple could give it freely to federal agencies as infrastructure to build upon.
This interpretation aligns with ongoing discussions around XRP, which has long been positioned as a solution for cross-border settlement and liquidity. If XRP is framed as a gratis contribution rather than a product for sale, U.S. government agencies could adopt it more easily than through traditional procurement routes.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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