Kamala Harris Finally Speaks Out on Crypto: Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

• Kamala Harris mentions crypto for the first time since becoming the Democratic nominee.
• Harris promised to support innovative technologies such as crypto and AI if elected president.
• Harris’ comments on crypto didn’t impress many in the crypto industry, as they believe they are too little, too late.

Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has finally assured that she is not “anit-crypto” and vowed to encourage emerging technologies such as digital assets and artificial intelligence.

Harris’ comments came during an ongoing fundraiser campaign in New York, ending media speculations about her anti-crypto stance.

Kamala Harris Makes Her First Public Comment on Crypto

Vice President Harris’ remarks on supporting innovation for the nascent crypto industry marked the first time she publicly mentioned crypto after being nominated as a Democratic presidential candidate.

Several celebrities, including Anne Hathaway and Whoopi Goldberg, attended the fundraising event, Harris’ final appearance in New York before the election. During her fundraiser campaign in Manhattan, Harris said :

“We will partner together to invest in America’s competitiveness, to invest in America’s future. We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors.”

Crypto regulations have become a key topic for the United States Presidential elections 2024. Crypto industry stakeholders have donated millions of dollars to back pro-crypto senators and presidential candidates.

Republican presidential nominee and former Vice President Donald Trump has embraced crypto wholeheartedly, making it a key aspect of his campaign . On one hand, Trump promised a significant crypto regulation overhaul, while Harris kept a safe distance from the topic. 

The Vice President might not have spoken much about crypto in her campaign, but that doesn’t mean she is not open to crypto donations. One report indicates Harris and President Biden accepted crypto donations via a super-political action committee .

Harris’ lack of crypto-related promises led many to suggest she might continue the current Democratic stance of cracking down on the crypto industry. However, her first public comments and promises to support the crypto industry didn’t invoke much confidence among crypto proponents.

Too Little, Too Late? 

With Presidential elections less than two months away, Harris’ late poll promises on crypto didn’t impress many in the crypto community. Industry players highlighted that she didn’t make any concrete promises but only mentioned crypto.

Many questioned her motive for mentioning crypto late in her campaign, while others reminded the community that she is still the Vice President. Yet, the Biden administration continues to crack down on the crypto industry.

X user Eric.eth listed all the prosecution and enforcement actions against the crypto industry under the Biden-Harris administration.

Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams lauded Harris’ first public comments on crypto, but was called out by Messari founder Ryan Selkis. Selkis said Uniswap is the only crypto company rallying behind Harris and, therefore, shouldn’t be trusted.

Of the two Presidential candidates, Trump is currently seen as a crypto favorite , all thanks to his promises to fire Gary Gensler and make the U.S. the Bitcoin hub. However, Trump has made a U-turn on crypto himself—he was vehemently against crypto, suggesting it was a vital tool for illegal trades.