Half of U.S. voters could see crypto as voting issue this year.
(Photo by Natalie Behring/Getty Images)
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Key Takeaways
Kamala Harris could score more votes with pro-crypto policies.
Polymarket bettors currently have Kamala Harris at 50% to win and Donald Trump at 49% to win.
92% of crypto owners plan on voting in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.
A new survey conducted by Consensys and HarrisX has added weight to the argument that crypto is a significant issue in U.S. politics.
Pro-Crypto Politics
According to the Consensys report published Oct. 1, at least half of U.S. voters believe it’s important for their candidate to take a pro-crypto stance.
Crypto policy importance. Source: Consensys
The survey, which polled 6,592 U.S. voters nationally and in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas, comprised 25.31% of crypto voters.
Overwhelmingly, 85% of owners want Presidential candidates to support pro-crypto policy, and 92% of them intend to vote in the upcoming election. Notably, 27% of all respondents were more likely to cast their vote for a pro-crypto candidate.
Crypto Policy
When it comes to picking their President, 54% of survey respondents said that Harris must establish a clear stance on crypto policies. 33% of voters say they are more likely to sway towards Harris if she takes a pro-crypto stance, and 29% are more likely to if she takes an anti-crypto stance.
Trump’s campaign has seen the presidential pledge to make the U.S. a Bitcoin mining hub, release new Trump-themed non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and even pay for a round of burgers with BTC.
Most notably, he’s pledged to fire Gary Gensler, the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Gensler has become enshrined as crypto-enemy No.1 thanks to his heavy-handed approach to regulating the crypto industry.
Harris voters may agree with Trump’s offer. Mark Cuban, who claimed to have spoken with the Harris campaign team, recently said that they oppose Gensler’s “regulation through litigation.” That said, recent statements from Harris regarding crypto have been met with disappointment.
Who Will be POTUS?
Looking to crypto-prediction platform, Polymarket, over $1.1 billion has been wagered on the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. At present, Kamala Harris has the edge, with 50% of bettors favoring her to the tune of $195.55 million in volume.
However, Trump isn’t so far behind. It looks like an extremely close race at 49% and $194.73 million in betting volumes. As Dritan Nesho, Founder and CEO of HarrisX, explains:
“It’s no surprise then that this voter block, which is up for grabs by either presidential campaign, could tip the scales in an election that increasingly looks likely to be decided by a thin margin.”
The Consensys/HarrisX survey results seem to support this. With 56% in favor of Trump’s policies and Harris receiving 55% of the support, the voters appear to be torn.
Eddie is a gaming and crypto writer at CCN. Covering the often weird and wonderful world of Web3 with an adoring, but skeptical eye.
Prior to CCN, Eddie has spent the past seven years working his way through the crypto, finance, and technology industry. He began with PR and journalism with Bitcoin PR Buzz and BitcoinNews.com, eventually working his way to become a copywriter with a dozen firms, including the likes of Polkadot before returning to journalism in 2023.
Having studied Radio production and journalism at University in the UK, Eddie spent a few years making podcasts and presenting on a local London radio station as he built up his writing chops.
A lifelong skateboarder, Eddie can often be found at the skatepark or touring the streets looking for something new to try. That, or kicking back playing JRPGs on his original PSP.
