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Donald Trump Names Pro-Crypto Ohio-Senator J.D. Vance as Presidential Running Mate

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Teuta Franjkovic
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Key Takeaways

  • Donald Trump has picked Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate in the presidential race.
  • Vance is a renowned pro-Crypto senator who has personally invested in Bitcoin.
  • The Ohio Senator was a staunch critic of President Donald Trump. 

Donald Trump’s presidential race has only picked up pace since the former President survived an assassination attempt, culminating in support from some of the biggest personalities, including Elon Musk  and Nayib Bukele .

With the clock ticking on his Vice President selection, Trump, amidst discussions with various advisors and guided by his pro-crypto stance, has selected pro-crypto Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.

Trump Chooses JD Vance as Running Mate, Cites His Potential to “Save the Country”

On Monday, July 15, Donald Trump announced  on his Truth Social platform that he had selected J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate.

Trump on Vance
Credit: truthsocial.com

Trump expressed his confidence in Vance, stating he believed Vance was uniquely suited for the role. This decision was communicated to Vance just moments before the public announcement, with Trump conveying his thoughts during a private call.

According to  Vance, Trump emphasized his role in helping “save the country” by pointing out Vance’s capabilities in governance and election strategy, particularly his potential influence in key Midwestern states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.

JD Vance: Advocating for Crypto-Friendly Policies in Senate, Invests in Bitcoin

If elected, J.D. Vance , at 39, would be among the youngest vice presidents in US history. A political newcomer, Vance secured his Senate seat in 2022 after gaining national attention as the author of a best-selling memoir. His selection as Donald Trump’s running mate is seen as a strategic move to appeal to Trump’s base, particularly White working-class voters in the Upper Midwest , where he is expected to strengthen Trump’s electoral chances.

J.D. Vance actively champions the cryptocurrency sector as a recent addition to the Senate and a Yale Law School alum. His legislative actions support digital assets, pushing against the stringent regulations proposed by SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. 

Vance’s notable effort includes his vote to repeal Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 (SAB 121), advocating for less restrictive regulations on financial institutions holding digital assets. His personal commitment to the digital assets sector is also evidenced by his investment in Bitcoin, valued between $100,001 and $250,000.

Besides crypto, Vance also advocates the biotech sector , investing in startups focused on developing new therapies, companies dedicated to drug discovery, health data firms, and health tech platforms, as detailed in his federal financial disclosures.

A Trump-Skeptic Turned Supporter

Vance has not always been a Trump fan. His journey from a critic of Donald Trump to his running mate in the 2024 presidential election marks a significant political transformation. 

In an October 2016 interview with Charlie Rose, J.D.Vance expressed strong disapproval  of Donald Trump, labeling him a “terrible candidate” and openly questioning Trump’s character in a starkly negative light. He would often use profanities, even going as far as labeling Trump as “America’s Hitler” in now-deleted texts to a former roommate. 

Deleted tweet
Credit: OCJ.com
Critics argue that his shift is opportunistic, aligning with political tides rather than personal conviction, while Vance insists that his change of heart regarding Trump is genuine.

Championing Crypto Bill Amid DEI Controversy

Vance is for sure making waves with his entry into the legislative arena for cryptocurrency, introducing a bill that is gaining favor for its industry-friendly stance compared to existing proposals. 

While Senate Democrats, including Senate Agriculture Chair Debbie Stabenow and Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand, explore various regulatory frameworks, Vance’s bill stands out for its simplicity in determining the oversight boundaries between the SEC and CFTC.

According to lobbyists , although some lawmakers are hesitant to restart legislative efforts, Vance’s draft is seen as a more favorable option, arguing that the SEC currently wields excessive control over the crypto market. This perspective positions Vance’s proposal as a potential game-changer in the ongoing debate over cryptocurrency regulation.

Trump’s Election Odds Surge Post-Assassination Scare

With Vance in the race with Donald Trump, coupled with the recent assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, the former President’s chances of reclaiming the White House. Prior to the incident and announcement, Trump’s odds of winning were 58.2%.

Post-attack, these odds rose dramatically to 72%. In contrast, President Joe Biden’s reelection chances are 17%, with Vice President Kamala Harris at 6%, based on aggregated odds from Polymarket .

Polymarket Trump lead
Credit: Polymarket

It’s worth noting that Polymarket is a prediction platform where bettors decide the odds. Built on the Ethereum blockchain, it utilizes stablecoins for user bets. It aims to provide a transparent and trustless environment for predictions, free from the influence of centralized entities.

Anyone worldwide can participate on Polymarket, not just Americans, meaning the data may not exclusively reflect US voter sentiment.

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Teuta Franjkovic

Teuta is a seasoned writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. She has expertise in covering macroeconomics and technology as well as the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. She has worked for several publications as a journalist and editor, including Forbes, Bloomberg, CoinTelegraph, Coin Rivet, CoinSpeaker, VRWorld and Arcane Bear. Teuta began her professional career in 2005, working as a lifestyle writer at Cosmopolitan in Croatia. From there, she branched out to several other publications, covering mainly business and the economy. She then turned her attention to the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain, believing that crypto is among the most important inventions in the history of humanity. Her involvement in fintech began in 2014 and she has since lent her expertise in writing, editing and gathering information about the world of crypto, blockchain, NFTs and Web3. An all-round news hound, mentor, editor, and writer, Teuta enjoys teamwork and good communication. She holds a WSET2 diploma and has a thing for chablis, punkrock music and shoes. She also holds a double MA in Political science and Entrepreneurship.
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