The presidential candidate presented her economic agenda to donors in New York City on September 22, emphasizing support for innovation in artificial intelligence and crypto while focusing on consumer and investor protection through regulations. She expressed plans to unite small business founders, innovators, and large corporations to “invest in America’s competitiveness, to invest in America’s future.”
The Democrat publicly mentioned crypto assets for the first time, according to Bloomberg:
> “We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors.”
According to Reuters, Harris plans to introduce a new set of economic policies this week.
### Democrats Good For Crypto?
This move signifies a shift from President Biden’s approach, which has targeted the crypto industry with numerous lawsuits and complex regulations. One of Harris’s campaign policy advisers indicated that she aims to grow digital assets while implementing more regulations and safeguards for the industry. However, researchers have suggested that the crypto crackdown and hostility towards the industry may persist if the Democrats are elected. Uniswap founder Hayden Adams commented:
> “But progress is progress, it needs to start somewhere, and should be encouraged. A positive statement on the tech is more than we got under Biden and Trump’s presidency.”
Not everyone is convinced that the Democrats will benefit the crypto industry.
> “Retardio. Uniswap should not be trusted. The only major crypto company actively simping for Democrats and Kamala Harris in particular. It’s like they want us to lose.” — Ryan Selkis (@twobitidiot), September 22, 2024
In April, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an intent to take legal action, or Wells notice, against Uniswap. ETF Store President Nate Geraci also remarked on the irony of a crypto founder supporting the Democrats.
> “Current state of crypto regulation in two tweets…” — Nate Geraci (@NateGeraci), September 23, 2024
Last week, it was reported that the founder of the investment firm SkyBridge Capital, Anthony Scaramucci, is collaborating with Kamala Harris to draft crypto policies for her campaign.
### Trump All-In on Crypto
Her Republican rival, Donald Trump, has openly supported the crypto industry, pledging to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler and appoint industry-friendly regulators. Last week, he became the first former president to use Bitcoin as a payment method when he bought burgers for supporters at a New York bar.
According to Polymarket’s election prediction forecast, Harris has a 52% lead, while Trump trails at 47%. The latest CBS News polling indicates that the vice president has now “moved to the slightest of edges across the battleground states,” with a 4-point lead nationally over Donald Trump.
