Crypto Is Spending Millions to Sway the US Election w/ Molly White
Aug 22, 2024
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Molly White, writer of the Citation Needed newsletter and creator of Web3 Is Going Just Great, joins to discuss the crypto industry's hefty political spending ahead of the elections. She reveals how Super PACs like Fairshake are influencing campaign financing, particularly targeting candidates opposed to crypto regulation. White highlights Coinbase's potential election law violations and the industry's mixed contributions to parties. The conversation also touches on the crypto market's struggles and how it adapts to a shifting political landscape.
The cryptocurrency industry is investing millions in campaign finance to influence regulations amid growing skepticism from the public and lawmakers.
A bipartisan strategy has emerged within the crypto industry, targeting both Democratic and Republican candidates to secure favorable legislation.
Recent political dynamics are prompting the crypto sector to reassess its relationships with major parties, ensuring support isn't overly concentrated on one side.
Deep dives
Stagnation in the Crypto Industry
The current state of the cryptocurrency industry reflects a period of stagnation following the previous boom and bust cycle. Many individuals still remember the fallout from events like the FTX scandal and are skeptical about the promises made during the peak of crypto interest, which included celebrities endorsing projects and companies claiming to transition to blockchain technologies. As a result, there is a hesitance to invest, and public enthusiasm has waned significantly, contributing to a lack of new money entering the market. This stagnation is evident as key players in the industry, despite their lobbying efforts, face challenges in reigniting that initial excitement around cryptocurrencies.
Political Contributions and Influences
The cryptocurrency industry has become a significant player in the campaign finance landscape, notably contributing millions to political action committees in recent election cycles. The emphasis on influencing political candidates stems from a strategic push to get favorable regulations, particularly in response to perceived threats from stricter policies or anti-crypto sentiment from some Democratic lawmakers. Organizations like Fairshake have emerged, largely funded by the crypto industry, to support candidates who advocate for a lighter touch on regulations. The financial power of the crypto industry has allowed them to participate actively in shaping political outcomes, despite the downturn in market sentiment.
Diverse Political Strategies towards Candidates
The crypto industry's approach towards political candidates has displayed a more bipartisan strategy, with a noticeable investment in opposing Democratic candidates viewed as hostile to their interests. High-profile opponents like Katie Porter have received substantial funding directed against them, while the industry has also allocated resources to support Republicans more visibly. The dynamic indicates a recognition that merely aligning with one party might not suffice for achieving their legislative goals, prompting efforts to cultivate relationships with both sides. This dual-facing strategy aims to secure votes critical to passing legislation beneficial to the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Challenges with Regulatory Landscape
Recent political developments have triggered concerns within the crypto industry regarding its regulatory future, particularly in light of shifting dynamics in the upcoming elections. The industry's previous heavy support for Trump is now called into question as he faces serious challenges, prompting a reevaluation of strategy towards Democratic candidates. There is a growing urgency to build bridges with the Biden administration and ensure that they are not alienating potential allies by investing too heavily in one political camp. This need for balance underscores a realization among crypto backers of the importance of having support from both major political parties to navigate regulatory concerns.
Market Trends and Less Public Enthusiasm
Despite some recovery in Bitcoin prices since their lows, the overall enthusiasm around cryptocurrency has diminished significantly compared to previous years. The narrative that once positioned crypto as a revolutionary financial instrument has lost traction, and the recent spikes in prices have not translated into a broader cultural interest akin to 2020-2021. Many people today associate cryptocurrency more with past failures than current promise, leading to skepticism about new investments or projects. This trend highlights a potential identity crisis within the crypto community, as they grapple with returning to relevance in a rapidly evolving technological landscape where AI has taken center stage.
Paris Marx is joined by Molly White to discuss why the crypto industry is spending millions on this election cycle and Coinbase’s potential breach of election finance law.
Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.
The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.