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Part 1: Why engage now?
A seismic shift has occurred in Washington. What began as a fringe movement has crystallized into an undeniable political force. The message echoing through the halls of Congress is unmistakable: crypto policy isn't just technical anymore; it's electoral.
The contrast with the Biden/Harris administration is stark. Where we once faced the headwinds of SEC Chairman Gensler's enforcement-first agenda and Operation Chokepoint 2.0, we now stand at the threshold of what Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong calls "the most pro-crypto Congress in history."
The transformation spans every branch of government:
A new elected administration with a pro-crypto President and Vice President committed to crafting better legislation
Republican senate majority of 53+ and with 19+ new pro-crypto candidates elected
272 pro-crypto representatives in the House
The Senate Banking Committee—long a challenging venue under Sen. Sherrod Brown's (D-OH) anti-crypto oversight—is poised for transformation under its likely new chairman, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). This change promises to reshape the regulatory conversation from the ground up.
The House tells an even more compelling story. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) already passed with bipartisan support of 208 Republicans and 71 Democrats. Now, with the high probability of the Republicans maintaining control and adding 58 more pro-crypto members, the momentum is undeniable.
The industry is doubling down on this momentum. Coinbase has pledged $25 million, a16z has committed $23 million, and Fairshake has amassed $78 million for future political initiatives. According to the The StandWithCrypto movement, $206.8 million has been donated to crypto advocates, has 1.9 million advocates strong and aims to reach 4 million by the 2026 midterms.
We've reached a critical juncture where crypto's influence on policy is inevitable. The real question is whether builders will step forward to shape it. Your expertise as a builder isn't just valuable—it's essential to ensuring these policies serve the innovation they're meant to enable.
The political infrastructure is in place. The doors in Washington are about to be more open. Now it's up to builders to walk through them.
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