Coinbase, Ripple, and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) have announced their plans to send representatives to the Republican National Convention (RNC) and the Democratic National Convention (DNC). The goal is to engage with GOP power brokers at the RNC to advocate for policies that support the crypto industry, given the growing interest in crypto among the public.
The attendance of these three companies at both conventions underscores their commitment to bipartisan policies that benefit the crypto sector. They are part of the Fairshake super PAC, which raised $177.9 million and spent $70.9 million during the 2024 election cycle to support US candidates who are pro-crypto regardless of their party affiliation.
While it is unclear if the company representatives have arrived at the RNC, the DNC is scheduled to take place from August 19 to August 24. As of now, the companies have not responded to requests for comments.
The RNC recently updated its platform to include various crypto issues, such as opposing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and criticizing the Democratic party’s regulatory actions against the crypto industry. The platform supports the protection of crypto mining and self-custody rights, advocating for crypto transactions to be free from government surveillance and control.
This aligns with former President Donald Trump’s views on crypto, as he has expressed support for the industry during recent campaign events. The RNC officially confirmed Trump as its presidential candidate after a vote on July 15.
In contrast, the DNC’s draft platform, released on July 13, did not mention anything about crypto. The Biden administration and Democrats have faced criticism for their strict regulatory approach to the sector, despite issuing an executive order in 2022 aimed at fostering responsible development of digital assets.
The presence of these crypto companies at the national conventions reflects the industry’s efforts to engage with policymakers and advocate for favorable regulatory environments. It also highlights the increasing influence of the crypto sector in the political landscape, as more people show interest in this emerging technology.