Former President Donald Trump made a surprising announcement on July 15 by selecting pro-crypto senator J.D. Vance as his running mate for the upcoming election, officially making him the Republican party’s nominee for President. This decision was revealed on Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform, where he introduced Vance as his vice-presidential candidate.
Vance’s support for cryptocurrency has been recognized by Coinbase’s Stand With Crypto initiative, which has rated him as a “strong” advocate for digital currencies. This rating is based on his public support for cryptocurrencies through social media posts and his voting record in favor of pro-crypto legislation. Vance notably voted for a resolution to rescind the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin 121 and has been critical of the SEC’s handling of cases involving crypto companies like DEBT Box.
Despite being a former critic of Trump and a key figure in the “Never Trump” movement in 2016, Vance has since shifted his stance and become a supporter of the former President. Sources from CNN revealed that Donald Trump Jr. played a significant role in convincing his father to choose Vance as his running mate at the last minute.
This decision comes on the heels of Trump’s recent vocal support for cryptocurrency, where he has publicly criticized the Biden administration’s approach to regulating digital assets. Trump’s endorsement of crypto has garnered attention, especially after expressing his views at events in Wisconsin and San Francisco. Additionally, Trump is set to attend the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, further solidifying his stance on digital currencies.
In a move reflecting Trump’s pro-crypto position, the Republican National Convention (RNC) has included cryptocurrency in its platform, aligning closely with the former President’s views on the matter. Trump also made history by becoming the first presidential candidate to accept campaign donations in cryptocurrency back in May.
Following a failed assassination attempt over the weekend, Trump’s election odds have seen a rise, indicating growing support for his candidacy. As the election season progresses, Trump’s selection of Vance as his running mate and his strong support for cryptocurrency are expected to be key talking points in his campaign.