Harris campaign criticized for ignoring crypto in policy statement Harris campaign criticized for ignoring crypto in policy statement
Harris policy statement makes mention of AI and semiconductors.
2 min read
Updated: Sep. 9, 2024 at 4:09 pm UTC
Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Flickr. Remixed by CryptoSlate
Vice President Kamala Harris‘s campaign released a policy statement outlining her administration’s key priorities. However, there is a notable omission—crypto.
Harris’s campaign promises highlighted various sectors—including semiconductors and artificial intelligence—and even extensively mentioned her political rival, former President Donald Trump, in the policy statement.
However, there was no mention of Bitcoin, crypto, blockchain technology, or digital assets.
This omission has drawn criticism from several crypto stakeholders who expected her to signal her administration’s move toward the emerging industry through the statement.
Crypto community reacts
Alexander Grieve, who leads government affairs at Paradigm, noted that some might interpret the reference to “other cutting-edge industries” as a nod to crypto.
However, he pointed out that she would have difficulty convincing crypto stakeholders that her administration would not continue the stringent regulatory approach adopted by President Joe Biden’s administration.
He stated:
“Some might argue that ‘other cutting edge industries of the future’ = placeholder for crypto. But it’s hard to ‘continue to support’ something when the current admin (of which she’s VP) doesn’t support it, and she hasn’t said anything on the subject.”
Taylor Barr, a senior policy associate at the Digital Chamber, added that less than two months before the election, Harris had limited time to make a significant statement on crypto policy.
Upcoming debate
Despite not mentioning the crypto sector in her policy statement, Harris will have a chance to outline her plans for the emerging industry during the upcoming presidential debate on Sept. 10. However, neither candidate touched crypto or Bitcoin in the last debate between Trump and Biden.
The debate will be a key moment for both candidates to present their policies and further influence public opinions about their capabilities for the top job at the Oval Office. Notably, the debate between Trump and Biden in June resulted in the president being forced to quit the Presidential race over concerns about his advanced age.
In the meantime, Polymarket indicates that Trump has a 52% chance of winning the election.
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Bitcoin, a decentralized currency that defies the sway of central banks or administrators, transacts electronically, circumventing intermediaries via a peer-to-peer network.
Kamala Devi Harris (born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 49th Vice President of the United States.
A businessman, politician, and media personality, Donald John Trump served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Joe Biden, byname of Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., is an American politician and the 46th and current president of the United States.
