Key Takeaways
With the 2024 general election days away, Coinbase is already looking ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, pledging $25 million to support pro-crypto candidates through its Fairshake political action committee (PAC).
This major investment is part of a larger trend of crypto companies pouring money into political campaigns this election season.
So far, the industry has contributed over $200 million to various candidates, making it one of the largest donors.
Brian Armstrong, Coinbase’s CEO, announced the funding plans on X , stating that the company has no intention of slowing down its political efforts after the 2024 elections.
The Fairshake PAC will begin dispersing funds in 2025, with the goal of building a pro-crypto congressional majority by 2026.
“We’re also supporting Standwithcrypto’s stretch goal to reach 4 million advocates by the 2026 midterms,” Armstrong added.
The Coinbase CEO asserted that crypto voters are a force to be reckoned with and will continue to grow.
“We’re going to keep showing up to protect our customer’s rights and help get sensible legislation passed in major markets around the world,” Armstrong expressed.
The crypto industry has been increasing its political influence in recent years, lobbying for better regulations and clearer guidelines.
The 2024 election has marked a significant shift in this trend, with crypto companies contributing over $200 million to various candidates. This represents a staggering 3000% increase from previous elections.
The impact of these donations is already being felt. Both presidential candidates have addressed crypto in their campaigns, with Republican candidate Donald Trump promising to fire the current Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chief, Gary Gensler, and make America a hub for Bitcoin.
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, on the other hand, has expressed support for innovation in the industry and has received backing from Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen.
Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, one thing is clear: crypto has become a major talking point in American politics.
With its significant investment in the 2026 midterm elections, Coinbase is betting that a pro-crypto Congress will lead to better regulatory clarity and support for the industry.