Harris’s campaign has yet to make any formal announcements, but it was revealed that they are using Coinbase Commerce to accept crypto donations.
At the 2024 Global TMT Conference in New York, Haas disclosed the news in a conversation with Peter Christiansen, Citigroup’s director of payments, as reported by Fortune on September 4.
Haas said: “Kamala is accepting crypto donations. She’s using Coinbase Commerce to handle these contributions for her campaign.”
Reports in August suggested that Coinbase was in discussions with Harris’s team, a claim later confirmed by Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, Fariar Shyrzad.
Despite these developments, the Harris campaign has not responded to media inquiries, and there is no mention of cryptocurrency donations on her official fundraising website.
Coinbase has been a significant backer of the pro-crypto Fairshake Political Action Committee (PAC), donating $25 million to support candidates aligned with cryptocurrency interests. This comes on top of another $25 million contribution made earlier this year. Haas emphasized Coinbase’s increasing investment in policy advocacy, noting that the U.S. is at a crucial juncture regarding regulatory clarity for crypto at the event.
The Fairshake PAC has had notable success, winning 32 out of 34 elections it was involved in. Haas highlighted this impact, stating that the funds have made a tangible difference in the outcomes of these races.
Haas also indicated that Harris is already considering a more progressive framework for crypto regulation in the U.S., providing cautious optimism for those in the industry.
While Coinbase has supported the Fairshake PAC, CEO Brian Armstrong clarified earlier this year that the company has not directly contributed to any U.S. presidential candidates.
Historically, the Democratic Party under President Biden has taken a more conservative stance on cryptocurrency compared to Republicans. However, recent lobbying efforts suggest that this position may be softening.
Since early August, Harris’s campaign has shown signs of becoming more crypto-friendly. The “Crypto for Harris” initiative was launched as a response to former President Trump’s favorable comments about blockchain technology. In the wake of this, several prominent Democrats and key figures in the crypto industry have expressed public support for Harris’s evolving stance on the issue.
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