Election Coverage 2024

All
At least one crypto leader is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Crypto Exec Pushing for Industry Support of Kamala Harris for President

J.P. Thieriot, a board member and ex-CEO of Uphold, backs the vice president in her U.S. presidency bid and says he's hoping to build a digital assets advocacy for the Democra...
At least one crypto leader is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump says he'll have the U.S. government stockpile bitcoin if he gets a second term. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Trump's Talk of Bitcoin Reserve for the U.S. Leaves Industry Waiting for More Details
The idea for a U.S. government stockpile – pushed by U.S. Sen. Lummis and echoed by former President Donald Trump – has been praised by bitcoin investors, but details are scan...
Former President Donald Trump says he'll have the U.S. government stockpile bitcoin if he gets a second term. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
In Donald Trump's Own Words – a Partial Transcript of His Bitcoin 2024 Speech
"You are the modern-day Edisons and Wright brothers and Carnegies and Henry Fords, and what you do in your lifetime stands a chance to outlive us all," Trump told the crypto c...
Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Trump Backs U.S. Bitcoin Reserve and Says Democrat Win Will Be Disaster for Crypto: 'Every One of You Will Be Gone'
Thousands of bitcoiners camped out for hours to see crypto's self-declared candidate on Saturday at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville.
Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)

The State of Crypto Newsletter

Sign up here for The State of Crypto, a weekly newsletter examining the intersection of cryptocurrency and government.

The Latest News on the U.S. Election

At least one crypto leader is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Crypto Exec Pushing for Industry Support of Kamala Harris for President

J.P. Thieriot, a board member and ex-CEO of Uphold, backs the vice president in her U.S. presidency bid and says he's hoping to build a digital assets advocacy for the Democra...

At least one crypto leader is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Former President Donald Trump says he'll have the U.S. government stockpile bitcoin if he gets a second term. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Trump's Talk of Bitcoin Reserve for the U.S. Leaves Industry Waiting for More Details

The idea for a U.S. government stockpile – pushed by U.S. Sen. Lummis and echoed by former President Donald Trump – has been praised by bitcoin investors, but details are scan...

Former President Donald Trump says he'll have the U.S. government stockpile bitcoin if he gets a second term. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
In Donald Trump's Own Words – a Partial Transcript of His Bitcoin 2024 Speech

"You are the modern-day Edisons and Wright brothers and Carnegies and Henry Fords, and what you do in your lifetime stands a chance to outlive us all," Trump told the crypto c...

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Trump Backs U.S. Bitcoin Reserve and Says Democrat Win Will Be Disaster for Crypto: 'Every One of You Will Be Gone'

Thousands of bitcoiners camped out for hours to see crypto's self-declared candidate on Saturday at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville.

Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) speaks Saturday at the Bitcoin Nashville conference. (Danny Nelson)
Democrats Pushing Harris Campaign for 'Reset' on Crypto Stance, House Rep Says

Democratic members of Congress wrote a letter to the Democratic National Committee asking for it to embrace pro-crypto policy.

U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) speaks Saturday at the Bitcoin Nashville conference. (Danny Nelson)
Some Democrats are asking their party to officially support crypto innovation. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
Democratic Crypto Supporters Call for Crypto-Friendly Party Platform

Crypto advocates in the U.S. House want their party to adopt a "forward-looking approach" to digital assets.

Some Democrats are asking their party to officially support crypto innovation. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
Donald Trump (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Trump Speaks Saturday at the Bitcoin Conference. Here's What Attendees Like 'The Crypto Patriot' Hope He Says.

“I want to hear [Trump] give a bold statement on the future of crypto and spark up what we all want," one person said.

Donald Trump (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, the Banking Committee's top Republican, has joined former President Donald Trump as a crypto booster. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Key U.S. Senate Republican Tim Scott Makes Crypto-Fan Debut

After years of consequential silence on digital assets, the top Republican on the Senate Banking Committee stormed a Bitcoin 2024 stage as a booster.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, the Banking Committee's top Republican, has joined former President Donald Trump as a crypto booster. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Robert F. Kennedy Junior (Screenshot from 2024 campaign website)
U.S. Presidential Candidate RFK Jr. Says He's 'Fully Committed' to Bitcoin

The presidential candidate said most of his wealth is in the digital asset.

Robert F. Kennedy Junior (Screenshot from 2024 campaign website)
Vice President Kamala Harris (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
What Does Kamala Harris' (Presumptive) Nomination Mean for Crypto This Election?

There has definitely been a vibe shift in the 2024 race, but it's unclear how crypto fits into that.

Vice President Kamala Harris (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination after Joe Biden dropped out (Chris duMond/Getty Images)
Biden's Exit Spurs Record $28M Daily Volume on Polymarket as Election Enters Uncharted Territory

Bets on the U.S. presidential election winner rocketed past $300 million, while the punters have put $200 million in a market for the potential Democrat's nominee and $10 mill...

Kamala Harris, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination after Joe Biden dropped out (Chris duMond/Getty Images)
KAMA meme coin (KAMA)
Kamala Harris Meme Coin Soars to All-Time High After Joe Biden Drops Out

Crypto traders are once again betting on the very serious business of presidential politics via very silly meme coins.

KAMA meme coin (KAMA)
Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
With Biden Out, Polymarket Favors Harris for Democratic Presidential Nominee

Vice President Kamala Harris is in the strongest position after Biden's departure.

Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin speaks at the EthCC conference in Brussels (Margaux Nijkerk)
Vitalik Buterin, as Other Crypto Leaders Line Up Behind Trump, Argues Against Picking Candidates Just Because They Like Crypto

The comments from Buterin, widely viewed as Ethereum's intellectual leader, stand in stark contrast to the strongly pro-Trump rhetoric from other well-known crypto figures.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin speaks at the EthCC conference in Brussels (Margaux Nijkerk)
Mark Cuban (David Berding/Getty Images)
'It's a Bitcoin Play': Mark Cuban Says Silicon Valley's Embrace of Trump Revolves Around Crypto

Cuban: "You can't align the stars any better for a BTC price acceleration."

Mark Cuban (David Berding/Getty Images)
Anthony Scaramucci, founder and managing partner at SkyBridge Capital (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)
Democrats Have Made a 'Horrific Mistake' on Crypto, Says SkyBridge Capital’s Anthony Scaramucci

The former White House Communications Director under President Trump spoke in an exclusive interview with CoinDesk’s Jennifer Sanasie.

Anthony Scaramucci, founder and managing partner at SkyBridge Capital (Shutterstock/CoinDesk)
Donald J. Trump at a rally (Gerd Altmann, modified by CoinDesk)
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss Each Contributed $250,000 to New Trump-Aligned Super PAC

America PAC has raised $8.75 million this quarter from a handful of tech and venture capital executives.

Donald J. Trump at a rally (Gerd Altmann, modified by CoinDesk)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 15: (L-R) Tucker Carlson, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump,  Republican Vice Presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Trump Odds on Polymarket Hit Another All-Time High After Vance VP Pick

With a millennial running mate, the former president now has a 72% chance of retaking the White House, traders on the crypto-based prediction market are signaling.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 15: (L-R) Tucker Carlson, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump,  Republican Vice Presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) appear on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 15, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party's presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Other Major Elections

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer secured victory in the U.K. election (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Labour Landslide Sets Up Starmer as UK Prime Minister With Unstated Crypto Plans

While the industry was not mentioned in the party's manifesto or on the campaign trail, Labour has said it will support tokenization and a central bank digital currency.

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer secured victory in the U.K. election (Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Labour leader Keir Starmer campaigns as U.K. election day comes closer (Carl Court/Getty Images)
Ahead of the U.K. Election, Major Parties Remain Silent on Crypto Issues

The U.K. is set to hold its first election in five years on Thursday and crypto is not a campaign-trail issue.

Labour leader Keir Starmer campaigns as U.K. election day comes closer (Carl Court/Getty Images)
South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa has been appointed to a new term as president. (Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
South Africa Re-Elects Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC as President

The election results are not expected to have much of an impact on South Africa's crypto industry.

South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa has been appointed to a new term as president. (Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)
Labour Leader Keir Starmer Meets New Labour MP Chris Webb 16x9
Industry Stakeholders Believe a UK Election Won't Derail Crypto Plans

A U.K. election is expected to happen this year, but it likely won't change the trajectory of the country's crypto policy efforts.

Labour Leader Keir Starmer Meets New Labour MP Chris Webb 16x9

India Elections

Narendra Modi greets supporters in May. (Elke Scholiers/Getty Images)
India Springs Election Surprise, Sends Equity Market Crashing With Uncertain Implications for Crypto

Any plans for comprehensive crypto legislation could be kicked further down the road after a weaker-than-forecast showing for the governing party.

Narendra Modi greets supporters in May. (Elke Scholiers/Getty Images)
(L-R) Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India and Nirmala Sitharaman, Indian Finance Minister at the G20 Annual Meetings, in Washington DC in October 2022. (Indian Ministry of Finance)
India Keeps Stiff Taxes on Crypto as Interim-Budget Is Revealed in Election Year

Expectations were low for a change in the stiff taxes on crypto transactions: a 30% tax on profits and a 1% TDS on all transactions.

(L-R) Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India and Nirmala Sitharaman, Indian Finance Minister at the G20 Annual Meetings, in Washington DC in October 2022. (Indian Ministry of Finance)
Indian flag, elections, ballot box, casting vote. (Gettyimages/btgbtg)
What’s at Stake for Crypto in India as the World’s Largest Democracy Is in the Midst of Its National Election?

Crypto’s significance as an election issue remains non-existent or at best negligible.

Indian flag, elections, ballot box, casting vote. (Gettyimages/btgbtg)

EU Elections

The EU flag (Christian Lue/Unsplash)
Elections Across Europe Won't Hinder Bloc's Crypto Ambitions

France, Austria, Germany and other countries are expected to have elections soon, following this month's European Parliament contest.

The EU flag (Christian Lue/Unsplash)
EU parliament facade (Guillaume Périgois/Unsplash)
What Do the EU Election Results Mean for Digital Assets?

Centrist parties hold power, but a right-wing majority is active on polarizing issues. The crypto industry needs to choose what it stands for, and with whom it wants to work,...

EU parliament facade (Guillaume Périgois/Unsplash)
(Pixabay)
EU Vote See Reelection of Some Officials With Key Roles in Bloc's Crypto Journey

Among the MEPs retaining their seats is Stefan Berger, who steered the landmark MiCA legislation.

(Pixabay)
Emmanuel Macron (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Macron Calls Surprise French Election That's Unlikely to Stir Crypto, Is Likely to Shake Up Government

The French president called a snap election after an unexpectedly poor showing in voting for the European Parliament.

Emmanuel Macron (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Global Election Coverage

Former President Donald Trump praised crypto again while Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign seemed to mock the comments. (Mornings With Maria, Fox Business)
As Trump Suggests Crypto as a Fix to U.S. Debt, Harris Camp Highlights His Remarks

Former President Donald Trump shared some more thoughts on his recent crypto crush, and the campaign for Kamala Harris responded as it often has: It shared Trump's own words....

Former President Donald Trump praised crypto again while Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign seemed to mock the comments. (Mornings With Maria, Fox Business)
Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Kamala Harris Can't Cede Crypto to Trump, Could be Difference in Battleground States: Think Tank

"Kamala Harris must lay out her own agenda for cryptoassets or she risks ceding the ground entirely to the Republicans," said the commentary from OMFIF’s Digital Monetary Inst...

Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve

Both former President Donald Trump and Sen. Cynthia Lummis proposed the U.S. hold its bitcoin.

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
At least one crypto leader is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Crypto Exec Pushing for Industry Support of Kamala Harris for President

J.P. Thieriot, a board member and ex-CEO of Uphold, backs the vice president in her U.S. presidency bid and says he's hoping to build a digital assets advocacy for the Democra...

At least one crypto leader is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.  (Megan Varner/Getty Images)
Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Donald Trump Site Lists Limited-Edition 'Bitcoin Sneakers' for as Much as $500 a Pair

The most expensive bright orange, high-top sneakers are already sold out and being relisted on eBay for as high as $2,500.

Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Bitcoin price could be tied to the outcome of the U.S. election, Jefferies said. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Bitcoin's Future Could be Tied to the Outcome of the U.S. Election: Jefferies

Trump’s policy shift towards crypto is very recent, but it may impact the price of bitcoin in the near term depending on who wins the U.S. election in November, the report sai...

Bitcoin price could be tied to the outcome of the U.S. election, Jefferies said. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Former President Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Making Bitcoin a Strategic Reserve Asset Contradicts 'Freedom From Government' Narrative, Says WSJ

The plan, which sounds similar to a proposal from Sen. Cynthia Lummis’ (R-Wyo.), doesn’t echo “freedom, sovereignty and independence from government coercion and control,” whi...

Former President Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Bitcoin Nashville attendees queued up early on Saturday to get into the conference venue, Music City Center, ahead of former President Donald Trump's speech (Bradley Keoun/CoinDesk)
Polymarket Whales Favor Trump as Election Betting Surges Past $400M

Traders also are skeptical about China 'unbanning' bitcoin

Bitcoin Nashville attendees queued up early on Saturday to get into the conference venue, Music City Center, ahead of former President Donald Trump's speech (Bradley Keoun/CoinDesk)
Former President Donald Trump says he'll have the U.S. government stockpile bitcoin if he gets a second term. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Trump's Talk of Bitcoin Reserve for the U.S. Leaves Industry Waiting for More Details

The idea for a U.S. government stockpile – pushed by U.S. Sen. Lummis and echoed by former President Donald Trump – has been praised by bitcoin investors, but details are scan...

Former President Donald Trump says he'll have the U.S. government stockpile bitcoin if he gets a second term. (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Trump Backs U.S. Bitcoin Reserve and Says Democrat Win Will Be Disaster for Crypto: 'Every One of You Will Be Gone'

Thousands of bitcoiners camped out for hours to see crypto's self-declared candidate on Saturday at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville.

Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. (Danny Nelson/CoinDesk)
Venezuela's election body announced that Nicolas Maduro has won the election, despite the opposition claiming victory. (Shutterstock / StringerAL)
Venezuela's Election Body Says Nicolas Maduro Reelected President, Opposition Claims Victory Too: Reports

Venezuela's dependence of crypto has been fuelled by a a dire economic situation, international sanctions, and nearly 8 million citizens fleeing the country in the past decade...

Venezuela's election body announced that Nicolas Maduro has won the election, despite the opposition claiming victory. (Shutterstock / StringerAL)
Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
In Donald Trump's Own Words – a Partial Transcript of His Bitcoin 2024 Speech

"You are the modern-day Edisons and Wright brothers and Carnegies and Henry Fords, and what you do in your lifetime stands a chance to outlive us all," Trump told the crypto c...

Former President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) speaks Saturday at the Bitcoin Nashville conference. (Danny Nelson)
Democrats Pushing Harris Campaign for 'Reset' on Crypto Stance, House Rep Says

Democratic members of Congress wrote a letter to the Democratic National Committee asking for it to embrace pro-crypto policy.

U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) speaks Saturday at the Bitcoin Nashville conference. (Danny Nelson)
Some Democrats are asking their party to officially support crypto innovation. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
Democratic Crypto Supporters Call for Crypto-Friendly Party Platform

Crypto advocates in the U.S. House want their party to adopt a "forward-looking approach" to digital assets.

Some Democrats are asking their party to officially support crypto innovation. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)
Donald Trump (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Trump Speaks Saturday at the Bitcoin Conference. Here's What Attendees Like 'The Crypto Patriot' Hope He Says.

“I want to hear [Trump] give a bold statement on the future of crypto and spark up what we all want," one person said.

Donald Trump (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Robert F. Kennedy Junior (Screenshot from 2024 campaign website)
U.S. Presidential Candidate RFK Jr. Says He's 'Fully Committed' to Bitcoin

The presidential candidate said most of his wealth is in the digital asset.

Robert F. Kennedy Junior (Screenshot from 2024 campaign website)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden abandoned his campaign for a second term after weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats to withdraw and just months ahead of the November election, throwing his support behind Harris. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
How Kamala Harris Could Usher in a Clean Slate for Crypto Regulation

She may not be appearing at Bitcoin Nashville this year alongside Donald Trump. But, if elected president, Kamala Harris could reshape the U.S.'s policy on digital assets. Pen...

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Joe Biden abandoned his campaign for a second term after weeks of pressure from fellow Democrats to withdraw and just months ahead of the November election, throwing his support behind Harris. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Vice President Kamala Harris (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
What Does Kamala Harris' (Presumptive) Nomination Mean for Crypto This Election?

There has definitely been a vibe shift in the 2024 race, but it's unclear how crypto fits into that.

Vice President Kamala Harris (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

How Upcoming Elections Around the World Could Impact the Crypto Industry