The crypto industry is not likely to throw its support behind Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris due to her perceived lack of interaction with the community during her time as Vice President, according to MatterFi CEO Michal “Mehow” Pospieszalski. Harris has not publicly disclosed her position on digital assets, but has committed to representing the views of all Americans if elected president. Pospieszalski also mentioned that billionaire Mark Cuban’s endorsement of Harris does not necessarily indicate strong support for cryptocurrency within her campaign. Cuban recently participated in a town hall organized by the Crypto For Harris group, which advocates for Harris’ campaign.
In a July interview with Politico, Cuban suggested that Harris may show more support for the blockchain sector compared to her predecessor. However, Pospieszalski expressed skepticism about Cuban’s endorsement, stating that he is unaware of any prominent figures in the crypto community who view Cuban as an advocate for their interests. Pospieszalski described Harris’ recent engagement with the crypto industry as a ‘me too’ effort, following in the footsteps of others such as RFK Jr. and Trump. He also noted that Cuban has previously endorsed Joe Biden, despite some distancing themselves from Biden after the primaries.
Despite assurances from a senior campaign adviser that Harris will support initiatives to grow the crypto sector, Pospieszalski remains doubtful. The adviser, Brian Nelson, stated that Harris will back policies to ensure the continued growth of emerging technologies and industries. However, Pospieszalski argued that simply mentioning crypto does not demonstrate understanding of the industry or ability to effectively regulate it. He criticized the Harris campaign for seeming unprepared and suggested that their recent actions appear more focused on saying what is needed to win votes, rather than genuinely engaging with the crypto community.
In conclusion, the crypto industry appears hesitant to throw its support behind Kamala Harris as a presidential candidate due to her perceived lack of interaction with the community and unclear stance on digital assets. Despite endorsements from figures like Mark Cuban, some industry experts remain skeptical of Harris’ commitment to cryptocurrency. The campaign’s promises to support crypto growth may not be enough to convince industry professionals that Harris truly understands the sector or is capable of effectively regulating it. As the election approaches, the crypto industry will likely continue to monitor Harris’ interactions with the community and evaluate whether her campaign’s engagement is genuine or merely a strategic move to secure votes.