A recent poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University reveals that about 1 in 7 U.S. voters have invested in cryptocurrency, and these investors are more inclined to back Republican candidate Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. The survey, conducted among over 800 registered voters from August 17 to 20, found that 50% of crypto investors plan to vote for Trump, while only 38% favor Harris. Conversely, among non-crypto holders, Harris leads with 53% support compared to Trump’s 41%, giving her a 12-point advantage in that group.
Dan Cassino, the poll’s executive director and a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson, observed that Trump’s efforts to connect with the crypto community appear to be paying off. Cassino highlighted that crypto ownership is more common than many might think, with an estimated 50 million Americans involved in the market.
The data shows that crypto owners tend to be younger, mostly male, and from diverse racial backgrounds. Of those surveyed, 15% reported owning or having owned cryptocurrencies or non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Additionally, the poll found that Republicans are more likely to hold cryptocurrencies, with 18% of GOP respondents reporting ownership, compared to 11% of Democrats.
Trump has been actively courting the crypto community, including a recent appearance at a Bitcoin conference in Nashville, where he promised to create a strategic Bitcoin reserve if elected. He also pledged to advocate for the release of Ross Ulbricht, the imprisoned founder of the Silk Road marketplace.
This outreach marks a significant shift for Trump, who previously called cryptocurrency a “scam” in 2021. His current strategy seems aimed at positioning him as a pro-crypto candidate, appealing to a demographic that has typically leaned more toward Democratic candidates.
The poll’s findings suggest that the crypto community could be a pivotal group in the upcoming election, as their influence continues to grow. Cassino noted that the underlying ideology of cryptocurrency, which is rooted in distrust of traditional power structures, makes it a good fit for Trump’s platform.
He also pointed out that the political diversity within the crypto community makes it a key target for both candidates in what is expected to be a closely contested race.
As the election season progresses, both Trump and Harris are likely to develop strategies to attract these voters, recognizing the potential impact the crypto community could have on the outcome.
