TLDR
- Democratic donors are pushing for Kamala Harris to speak at the Permissionless III crypto conference in October.
- This comes after Donald Trump made pro-crypto remarks at the Bitcoin 2024 event.
- Blockworks, the conference organizer, aims to create a more bipartisan atmosphere at the event.
- Harris’ stance on crypto is not yet publicly known, though there are conflicting reports about her views.
- Trump has shifted from an anti-crypto position to promising pro-crypto policies if elected.
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, cryptocurrency is emerging as a key topic of debate.
Recent developments suggest that both major parties are paying close attention to the crypto industry and its potential impact on voters.
Democratic donors are reportedly pushing for presumptive nominee Kamala Harris to speak at Permissionless III, a major crypto conference scheduled for October in Salt Lake City.
This effort comes in response to former President Donald Trump’s recent pro-crypto speech at the Bitcoin 2024 event in Nashville, Texas.
Jason Yanowitz, founder of Blockworks, the company organizing Permissionless III, told Decrypt that “some of the biggest Democratic donors” are urging them to invite Harris to the conference.
The event already boasts a lineup including crypto industry figures like Chris Dixon of a16z crypto and Michael Novogratz of Galaxy Digital, as well as Republican Congressman Tom Emmer.
Yanowitz expressed a desire to create a more bipartisan atmosphere at this year’s conference, contrasting it with the “Republican-heavy” tone of Bitcoin 2024.
This push for political diversity reflects the growing importance of crypto policy in the upcoming election.
Harris’ stance on cryptocurrency remains unclear. Some reports suggest that members of her campaign team have reached out to major U.S. crypto companies like Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple Labs in an effort to “reset relations” with the industry.
I’m sorry, but you don’t get to just screw our industry over for 4 years, push operation choke point, enlist Gensler and Warren as your Champions, and then just pretend you’re hip with Bitcoin. Major democrat donor told me Kamala says privately “Bitcoin is money for criminals”
— David Bailey🇵🇷 $0.65mm/btc is the floor (@DavidFBailey) July 24, 2024
However, conflicting information has also surfaced. Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey claimed in a social media post that an unnamed “major Democrat donor” said Harris had privately referred to Bitcoin as “money for criminals.”
On the Republican side, Trump has executed a significant shift in his crypto stance. Previously known for his anti-crypto views, Trump surprised many with his keynote address at Bitcoin 2024.
He promised to fire SEC Chairman Gary Gensler “on day one” of his administration and announced plans to create a strategic Bitcoin “stockpile” for the United States.
This change in position has not gone unnoticed in the crypto community. Some enthusiasts view the upcoming election as a potential referendum on the mainstreaming of cryptocurrency in American politics and finance.
The involvement of major political figures in crypto events and discussions represents a new phase for the industry.
As recently as the 2020 election cycle, cryptocurrency was a relatively niche topic in mainstream political discourse. Now, it appears to be a subject that candidates cannot afford to ignore.
This increased attention comes at a time when the crypto industry is facing regulatory challenges and public scrutiny.
The positions taken by presidential candidates on issues like cryptocurrency regulation, blockchain technology, and digital assets could have significant implications for the future of the industry in the United States.
