The crypto industry has invested over $200 million in positioning for the 2026 midterm elections, aiming to promote favorable regulatory rules.

October 31 - According to Public Citizen data, crypto-related organizations have donated over $200 million in the current U.S. election cycle, attempting to influence the 2026 midterm elections and push Congress to pass industry-friendly regulatory rules. One of the industry's current priority goals is to advance comprehensive digital asset market structure legislation after the Clarity Act was stalled.

Fairshake and its affiliated super PACs are supporting 33 House candidates, including 19 Republicans and 14 Democrats. Coinbase and Ripple each donated $25 million to Fairshake's midterm election efforts in 2025.

The Ohio Senate race is a key battleground. Fairshake said it has spent $55 million this election cycle opposing long-time crypto critic and Democratic candidate Sherrod Brown, whose opponent is crypto-friendly Republican incumbent Senator Jon Husted. Coinbase-founded advocacy group Stand With Crypto has endorsed 45 candidates, including 42 House candidates and 3 Senate candidates.

The Clarity Act was stalled in the Senate in September, with Democratic lawmakers arguing it was insufficient to prevent senior government officials from profiting from crypto businesses. Reports indicate that if the bill cannot advance by the end of the year, the new Congress will need to restart market structure legislation. Coinbase Vice President Ryan VanGrack said that regardless of who is elected, the industry will still gain more regulatory clarity, but whether legislation can ultimately be completed remains uncertain.