U.S. presidential candidate Kamala Harris has garnered attention for her potentially supportive stance on the cryptocurrency industry, as highlighted by Coinbase’s Chief Policy Officer, Faryar Shirzad. In an X post on August 21, Shirzad discussed his participation in several discussions with Harris’s team, noting a constructive approach focused on advancing innovation within the crypto sector.
Shirzad emphasized that these discussions represent an important initial step and found the remarks by Harris’s senior campaign adviser, Brian Nelson, encouraging. Nelson indicated that Harris supports policies aimed at fostering the growth of emerging technologies, including cryptocurrency.
The Harris campaign has strengthened its pro-crypto position by launching initiatives like “Crypto for Harris.” A virtual meeting on August 8 featured prominent figures such as billionaire Mark Cuban and Silicon Valley investor Ron Conway. Another event under this initiative took place on August 14, where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed strong support for cryptocurrency, alongside other prominent Democrats.
Although Harris has historically taken a cautious approach toward cryptocurrency, recent analyses suggest that her presidency could be beneficial for the industry. A CoinShares study indicated that Harris may adopt a softer stance on crypto regulations compared to the current administration. In contrast, Donald Trump’s campaign has been openly pro-crypto, with actions like accepting Bitcoin donations and nominating J.D. Vance, a venture capitalist with a strong pro-crypto stance, as his vice-presidential candidate.
The Polygon-based prediction market Polymarket reflects this sentiment, with Trump’s odds of winning the 2024 election rising to 53%, while Harris’s odds stand at 46%. This shift suggests a growing belief that a Trump presidency may offer a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency compared to Harris.
