Top super PAC backs Kamala Harris to accept cryptocurrency donations By Reuters

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A super political action committee (PAC) supporting U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, known as Future Forward PAC, will accept cryptocurrency donations, a Coinbase spokesman said on Wednesday (NASDAQ:).

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

Future Forward has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support Harris in the Nov. 5 US election, where he faces Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump. Polls show a close race.

While Harris has yet to take a public position on crypto, her campaign staff has met with major crypto firms, including Coinbase and , Reuters previously reported.

Trump has tried to woo big cryptocurrency donors with friendly political pledges and criticized Democratic attempts to regulate the sector. Brian Nelson, a senior adviser to the Harris campaign, said at a recent event that Harris would support the growth of emerging technologies, which many in the crypto industry saw as a positive sign.

KEY QUOTE

“Coinbase can confirm that Future Forward PAC has integrated with Coinbase Commerce to accept crypto donations,” a Coinbase spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Coinbase Commerce is a tool that allows merchants around the world to accept cryptocurrency payments in a decentralized manner.

CONTEXT

Some big crypto companies are donating to pro-crypto candidates in congressional races in both parties through super PACs, campaign finance records show, instead of aligning with either presidential candidate.

Cryptocurrency investors and industry executives who are calling on Harris to take a softer regulatory stance on the industry plan to raise at least $100,000 for the Democratic presidential candidate at a Sept. 13 fundraiser in Washington.

A super PAC can raise an unlimited amount of funds to support candidates, but cannot contribute directly to a campaign or political party.