Key Battleground Pennsylvania is hosting Day Five of the America Loves Crypto tournament

On a chilly fall evening in Philadelphia, PA, more than just crypto bros showed up in the City of Brotherly Love to show their support for Bitcoin and crypto at the fifth stop of the America Loves Crypto Tour. A diverse crowd of about 200, split equally between men and women, filled Vinyl, a stylish venue in the heart of the city where the event was hosted. The size and enthusiasm of the crowds at this tournament grew considerably as it went on, lending credence to the idea that the crypto-voting bloc may play a role in influencing major races in the US election in November.

Speakers on this tour date included former US Senator and Coinbase Global Advisory Board member Pat Toomey (R); former Congressman Patrick Murphy (d), Kara Calvert, head of US Policy at Coinbase; Dominic Folino, President of the Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition; David Johnson, General Board and Strategic Advisor at The Giving Block; Cody Eddings, co-founder and CEO of Snap Refund; and Sam Weinrott, co-founder of PizzaDAO. Electronic pop artist Lauv headlined the event.

The theme of the event was that Pennsylvanians, 1.4 million of whom own crypto, have an important role to play if they want to help move the US in a more pro-crypto direction. Pennsylvania is one of the seven swing states that will likely decide the outcome of the US presidential election in November, and it has the most electoral votes: 19. Given that the number of residents of that state who own crypto is 18 times higher than the vote . difference between President Biden and former President Trump in the 2020 presidential election, it is imperative that pro-Bitcoin and pro-crypto Pennsylvanians vote, which the speakers at this event made clear.

Former Politicians Urge Pro-Crypto Pennsylvanians to Vote

As one of the first speakers at the event, Toomey, a long-time crypto advocate, set the tone for the evening by urging voters to vote anti-crypto politicians out of office.

“My former colleagues failed to get legislation across the finish line (and) an out-of-control Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) casts a dark shadow over all types of crypto development,” Toomey began from the stage.

“The growth of the entire sector should be in the United States of America. We have the advantage. We have extraordinary entrepreneurship. We have the infrastructure. But increasingly, some of the most talented people in our country are leaving because there are jurisdictions overseas that have provided legal clarity on this,” he added.

“There are some people in Congress, on both sides of the aisle, who are very much in favor of allowing crypto to really grow and thrive. And there are others who are very hostile. My suggestion: some of the hostiles must lose the election.”

Murphy brought a similar energy as he emphasized the importance of Bitcoin and crypto, as well as the role of Pennsylvanians as voters to protect it.

“The whole point of crypto is that we don’t have to rely on a government or a central bank,” Murphy said, noting that we can use technology to control our own destiny.

He then seconded Toomey’s call to action on voting anti-crypto politicians out of office.

“He was absolutely right when he said there are people who are not for us and we should hold them accountable,” Murphy said.

To do that, Murphy said Pennsylvania voters have a key role to play in this election.

“There are only six states that will control this election, (and) Pennsylvania (is one with) 19 electoral votes,” Murphy said. “So we have an incredibly important voice, but only if we use it.”

Founders demand clear crypto rules

Following the talks from Toomey and Murphy was a panel of founders with Johnson, Folino, Eddings and Weinrott.

Much like what was discussed on a panel at the tour’s first stop, the founders in attendance demanded little more than clear rules of the road for crypto from the US regulatory apparatus.

“It’s incredibly hard to be in compliance with crypto right now in the US because as much as you want to follow the rules, it’s not always clear what the rules are,” Johnson said.

“Too many people in Washington either don’t understand technology, don’t care to understand it, or in many cases, unfortunately, are hostile to it. The reality is that innovators will innovate, whether it’s here or elsewhere,” he added.

Founders share their thoughts on crypto regulation in the US.

“We know crypto is the future of payments, and the reason we’re here to support it is because we want it to happen in the US, not somewhere else.”

Folino weighed in, sharing his thoughts on the obstacles preventing the crypto industry from flourishing in the US.

“Politicians, regulations and a senator whose name we all know is a real reason we’re not moving forward,” Folino said, likely referring to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, head of the anti-crypto army. “Everybody needs to get out and vote; everyone must continue to educate everyone they can.”

Folino is no stranger to educating others, including Pennsylvania policymakers, about Bitcoin and crypto. Through his work with the Pennsylvania Blockchain Coalition, he frequently speaks with politicians at the state level.

“People absolutely want to get it,” Folino told Bitcoin Magazine of the elected officials and bureaucrats he educates in Pennsylvania.

“We have a lot of more open-minded members in the PA State House. And I think they’re getting it in the Senate as well,” he added, before sharing that crypto will be a key issue in upcoming PA elections both this election cycle and even more so in the future.

A sophisticated voter base

Calvert echoed Folino’s sentiment that crypto will continue to become a bigger voting issue as time goes on. She was also pleasantly surprised not only by how many have raised their voices to make crypto an issue this election cycle, but by how attentive those who spoke up and came to America Loves Crypto tour events .

“It’s a really sophisticated crowd,” Calvert said of the tournament attendees. “I was expecting more people who were just coming out for artists, and what we found is that there are people who really care about crypto.”

Calvert also commented that those in attendance are not only educated when it comes to crypto, but also active voters.

“In Detroit I asked the question, ‘How many people know where their polling place is?'” Calvert said, before mimicking most of the crowd’s reaction by shooting his own hand in the air.

“I was stunned. So it’s not just about their sophistication as crypto owners, (but) their sophistication as voters. In Milwaukee, same thing. And here, the same thing. I was amazed at how sophisticated they are,” she added.

In part because of what he saw on the tour, Calvert believes the Bitcoin and crypto industry will find a home in the US.

“America will win,” Calvert said.

“You can’t stop innovation from happening. You can do much harder. You can create barriers. But in the end, I think innovation wins,” she added, before noting that the powerful new crypto voting bloc needs to get out and vote in November to help speed up that process — especially in a state like Pennsylvania.

The final date of the America Loves Crypto tour is set for Wednesday, September 18th at The Black Cat in Washington, DC and will feature a performance by The Chainsmokers.. You can RSVP to the event Here.