Kamala Harris’ Crypto Town Hall Fails to Impress Industry, Raising Concerns Ahead of November Election

As a seasoned crypto investor with over a decade of experience navigating the volatile and often unpredictable digital asset market, I can’t help but feel a mix of disappointment and frustration after attending the recent “Crypto For Harris” event.


The “Crypto For Harris” campaign arranged a 90-minute gathering, which was attended by notable Democratic legislators. However, what attendees from the crypto industry anticipated – clear guidance and strategic policy decisions – did not materialize.

A key reason for the criticism against Harris was her non-attendance at the event, as participants were keen to learn her thoughts on cryptocurrency. Her absence, combined with an unclear policy position from her campaign, failed to alleviate doubts regarding her views on digital currencies.

Custodia Bank CEO Caitlin Long expressed her dissatisfaction, according to FOXBusiness; she said:

“I’ve been eagerly anticipating updates on Harris’s stance on cryptocurrency and a solution from the Democrats regarding the problem of cryptocurrency companies getting discontinued by banks. So far, I haven’t received any news yet.”

The organizational setup of the meeting drew flak due to its lack of opportunities for individuals from the cryptocurrency sector to contribute their insights. Jake Brukhman, head of CoinFund, described it as more of an informative session rather than a two-way conversation, expressing it as: “The town hall seemed more like a monologue than a dialogue.”

“I assumed that a town hall meeting was meant for gathering local residents’ perspectives. However, what we received were more presentations about the political direction of cryptocurrency from the speakers themselves.”

Criticism intensified because the event omitted discussions on the difficulties and rules that the industry has encountered during Gary Gensler’s tenure as SEC Chair, leading many to believe that the event neglected the key issues that the sector is grappling with.

In my analysis, there were indeed encouraging instances during the meeting, one of which was when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed a favorable stance on cryptocurrency legislation. He clearly articulated his commitment to passing thoughtful crypto regulations before year-end. Moreover, he underscored that cryptocurrencies are here to stay, regardless of any future developments.

Although this event received numerous compliments, notable cryptocurrency influencers such as Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss voiced their criticism. Specifically, Tyler referred to it as a “spectacle” or “show,” using the informal term “clown show.”

Potential Implications for 2024 Election

The lack of success for the event in gaining support from the cryptocurrency community could have boosted backing for former President Donald Trump, who has pledged a less stringent regulatory stance and has attended some crypto events like the Bitcoin Conference 2024 in Nashville. With growing doubt among industry insiders about the Democrats’ commitment to a “reset” with the crypto market, there is a call for more transparent communication of their policy stances.

As a crypto investor, I find myself wondering about Harris’ stance on cryptocurrencies and her planned actions. Austin Campbell, the founder of Zero Knowledge, has raised this point, urging Harris to clarify her position.

“To avoid further SEC issues and potential recurrence of ‘Operation Chokepoint’ 2.0, Harris needs to clearly express her stance and proposed actions on this matter. If she fails to provide a clear statement, the assumption is that more disasters may occur.”

With the 2024 U.S. presidential election on the horizon, it’s becoming increasingly clear that cryptocurrency policy is set to play a significant role. The industry eagerly looks forward to hearing more definitive statements from candidates like Harris, hoping for a clearer understanding of how digital assets might be handled in future administrations.

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2024-08-16 17:04