A group of crypto industry leaders is organising a fundraiser for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, aiming to sway her stance on cryptocurrency should she win the presidential election in November.
Scheduled for September 13 in Washington, D.C., the fundraiser seeks to raise $100,000, with ticket prices ranging from $500 to $5,000, according to Reuters.
Harris slightly ahead of Trump in polls
This initiative, led by the Blockchain Foundation, signals that a portion of the crypto community supports Harris, despite her relatively quiet position on cryptocurrency compared to her rival, Donald Trump.
Harris currently leads Trump by 3.2% in national polls, as reported by FiveThirtyEight. Her lead has persisted since President Joe Biden announced his decision not to seek reelection and endorsed Harris.
related reading：Trump Gains Ground as Harris’ Odds Wane on Polymarket
Importance of Crypto in Politics
Cleve Mesidor, executive director of the Blockchain Foundation, noted that the fundraiser is intended to highlight the significance of cryptocurrency to Democrats. The event is seen as an opportunity to discuss how a Harris administration might support the crypto sector and improve access to capital, particularly for people of colour.
The crypto industry has faced regulatory challenges under the Biden administration, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) taking enforcement actions against major firms. In response, companies like Coinbase and Ripple have spent $120 million in 2024 to influence the election, opposing Harris' Democratic Party through super political action committees like Fairshake.
related reading：Harris-backed unrealized gains tax would impose a 25% tax on assets over $100 million, but would have minimal impact on technology investors
Harris Campaign Engages with Crypto
The Harris campaign has shown some engagement with the crypto industry, holding meetings with industry executives in recent months. At the Democratic National Convention, Harris’ senior campaign adviser, Brian Nelson, indicated that she would support policies that foster the growth of emerging technologies, including cryptocurrency.
related reading：Harris Endorses Biden’s 44.6% Capital Gains Tax Proposal
Some industry leaders remain optimistic about the potential for positive crypto policies under the next administration, regardless of the winner. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong expressed hope that both Democratic and Republican candidates will adopt favourable stances on crypto.
While Harris did not attend the Bitcoin 2024 conference, her supporters emphasised the risks of making crypto a partisan issue. Trump, on the other hand, accused Harris of being "against crypto" due to her ties to the Biden administration.
House lawmakers, led by Representative Nickel, have urged the Democratic Party to take a more forward-looking approach to digital assets, suggesting that Harris has the opportunity to reshape the party's stance on crypto.
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