Vice President Kamala Harris made her first comments on cryptocurrency as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee during a fundraiser in New York City on Sunday.
In a speech to Wall Street donors, Harris vowed to encourage the growth of innovative technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets while ensuring consumer and investor protection.
“We will create a safe business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road,” Harris said.
Thus she signaled her support for the crypto industry. This marks a strategic move as she aims to court voters in the crypto community, a demographic that has largely leaned toward her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump.
Trump has actively embraced cryptocurrency, speaking at major events like the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville and promoting a new decentralized currency platform launched by his sons. According to recent polling, Trump holds a 12-point lead over Harris among voters who own cryptocurrencies.
Harris’ comments suggest a shift in her stance, distancing herself from some of the Biden administration’s economic policies, which have faced criticism from the crypto industry for being overly restrictive. She has added former crypto advisers David Plouffe and Gene Sperling to her campaign in a bid to bolster her appeal to this key voting bloc.
The fundraiser, held at Cipriani Wall Street, raised $27 million, making it the largest single-day haul of Harris’ campaign. She emphasized that her administration, if elected, would work closely with major companies, labor groups, and innovators to promote economic growth while protecting emerging technologies like cryptocurrency.
Harris’ remarks reflect a broader effort to win over younger voters, particularly men aged 18 to 24, who are more likely to own cryptocurrencies and who have recently been identifying as Republican at higher rates.
FOX Business, Axios contributed to this report.
