Kamala Harris Makes First Public Remarks on Crypto, What Did She Say?
Kamala Harris, the Democratic frontrunner in the 2024 U.S. presidential race, made her first public statement addressing digital assets and artificial intelligence (AI) during a recent Wall Street fundraiser.
The event, held in Manhattan, saw Harris promising to promote investment in these emerging technologies as part of her broader vision for America’s future.
“We will partner together to invest in America’s competitiveness and future,” Harris said. “We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors,” she added, according to a Bloomberg report on Sept. 22.
Harris also emphasized the need for a stable business environment, ensuring that industries such as AI and digital assets benefit from clear and consistent regulations.
“We will create a safe business environment with transparent rules,” she stated, further pledging to invest in key sectors like semiconductors and clean energy.
This marks Harris’ first public comment on cryptocurrency since becoming the Democratic frontrunner, according to Cointelegraph. Her remarks suggest a departure from President Joe Biden’s cautious stance on the industry, which many have viewed as unfavorable toward digital assets. Last month, senior campaign adviser Brian Nelson hinted that Harris would be open to supportive crypto policies but stressed the need for “rules of the road” amid industry challenges.
Industry leaders responded positively to Harris’ comments. Coinbase policy chief Faryar Shirzad described her statement as “important and constructive” in a social media post, though he noted that it wasn’t as bold as the positions taken by her Republican rival, Donald Trump. Trump, who has been vocal about his support for the crypto industry, has promised to be a “crypto president” and vowed to remove SEC Chair Gary Gensler, whose agency has been actively regulating the sector.
Despite this, Harris’ remarks have been seen as a significant step forward. Alexander Grieve, vice president of government affairs at venture firm Paradigm, called her comments “encouraging,” adding that regardless of the election’s outcome, “this should be the last anti-crypto administration.” Meanwhile, legal experts like Jake Chervinsky from Variant expressed cautious optimism, though he pointed out that the phrase “protecting consumers and investors” could carry various implications for the industry.
With crypto becoming a central campaign issue, U.S. crypto companies, including Coinbase and Ripple, have collectively spent nearly $120 million to influence the upcoming elections, according to a report by advocacy group Public Citizen. Both Harris and Trump remain close in the national polls, with Harris holding a slim 2.9-point lead, according to FiveThirtyEight data from Sept. 22.
On another note, Donald Trump’s campaign strategy has consistently thrived on channeling widespread dissatisfaction and turning it into political leverage. His support base is predominantly middle-class—the same group increasingly drawn to cryptocurrency for its potential to challenge the conventional financial system.
Despite his past criticisms of crypto, Trump now faces a unique opportunity. By positioning himself as a champion of financial independence, particularly for the middle class, he can tap into the growing enthusiasm surrounding digital assets.
For many, crypto represents a form of anti-establishment sentiment—the very sentiment that propelled Trump to political prominence. Middle-class voters disillusioned with the traditional financial system may see Trump’s embrace of crypto as a powerful statement, which will most definitely be to his advantage.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the future of the crypto industry could depend significantly on the stance each candidate takes, making it a topic to watch closely in the months leading to November.
