The influence of the cryptocurrency industry on US politics is reaching new heights. In a massive show of political and financial muscle, nearly a dozen candidates across three states have successfully won their primaries or advanced to the November elections. This sweeping victory comes on the heels of a massive $3.5 million advertising blitz funded by political action committees (PACs) closely aligned with the crypto industry, proving that digital assets are becoming a defining issue for voters and candidates alike.
The Power of Pro-Crypto Political Spending
Across California, New Jersey, and South Dakota, both Democratic and Republican candidates reaped the benefits of highly targeted media buys. Notable winners include California Democrats such as Jacqui Irwin, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, and Lateefah Simon, alongside New Jersey Democrat Rob Menendez and South Dakota Republican Mike Rounds. The financial backing for these media campaigns came primarily from Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs. Both groups are heavily affiliated with Fairshake, a dominant political force backed by industry heavyweights like Coinbase and Ripple Labs, which reportedly boasted a massive $193 million war chest earlier this year.
According to Fairshake spokesperson Geoff Vetter, the industry’s political goal is straightforward: America needs congressional leaders who are willing to establish responsible, clear guardrails so the digital asset community can maintain its global leadership. This strategy is already proving highly effective. Just last week, similar strategic ad buys helped secure victories in Texas runoff primaries for both Democratic and Republican candidates who have publicly supported digital asset legislation, such as the GENIUS Act. Looking ahead, the crypto lobby is already setting its sights on Maryland, where Protect Progress has poured over $3.1 million into supporting Democratic candidate Adrian Boafo for the upcoming late-June primary.
A New Frontier: The Defend Developers PAC
As election spending ramps up, the crypto industry is also actively expanding its political infrastructure with the launch of a brand-new hybrid organization called Defend Developers. Announced recently by industry leaders, this PAC is specifically designed to support incumbent politicians who actively champion protections for software builders and creators of decentralized technologies. The group’s board is already packed with high-profile executives and policy leaders from top organizations, including Uniswap Labs, the DeFi Education Fund, the Solana Policy Institute, and Orca Creative.
Gavin Zavatone, the founder of the Defend Developers PAC, emphasized that creators of decentralized tech have spent far too long navigating enforcement actions and regulatory uncertainty rather than operating under clear, established guidelines. He noted that while crucial legislation is actively being written, some policymakers simply lack the incentive to truly understand the fundamental nature of software development. While the PAC is still getting its federal financial filings off the ground with treasurer Nick Stoltzfus, its creation sends a clear message. The cryptocurrency and blockchain industries are fully committed to making their voices heard—and their financial presence felt—in the 2026 midterms and beyond.
