The Impact of Anti-Crypto Policies on Elections
The Biden Administration’s anti-crypto policies could potentially influence the outcome of the upcoming elections, according to Anthony Scaramucci, former White House communications director and founder of Skybridge Capital. With over 52 million Americans now owning cryptocurrency, constituting 20% of the voting population, Scaramucci emphasizes the significant voting power of this group. In fact, this number exceeds the number of Americans who own an electric vehicle, hold a union card, or attend an NFL game.
Scaramucci notes that in the last election, 61% of cryptocurrency owners supported Biden and the democratic party. However, he warns that this may change due to the current administration’s stance on crypto regulation. Furthermore, cryptocurrency owners are disproportionately represented in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia, and Arizona, which collectively offer 52 electoral votes.
The Influence of Swing States
These swing states are expected to have narrow margins in the 2024 election, making issues like crypto regulation more significant. Scaramucci asserts that Elizabeth Warren’s anti-crypto position could be detrimental to the Democratic Party’s chances of winning. Warren has introduced the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act, which aims to subject cryptocurrency companies to greater compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks.
This bill has faced criticism from lawmakers and industry actors who argue that it would impose the same level of oversight on unhosted wallet providers and node operators as traditional financial institutions face.
Hot Take: The Political Impact of Crypto Owners
With an increasing number of Americans owning cryptocurrency, the political implications become more pronounced. As Anthony Scaramucci points out, the Biden Administration’s anti-crypto policies have the potential to sway votes and affect election outcomes. The disproportionate representation of cryptocurrency owners in swing states further accentuates the significance of this voting bloc. If the Democratic Party fails to take a favorable stance on crypto regulation, it risks alienating a substantial portion of its previous supporters. As the crypto issue becomes more prominent in the U.S. policy agenda, policymakers must consider the potential political consequences their decisions may have.