- VP Kamala Harris voiced her support for cryptocurrency and AI to enhance US competitiveness.
- The Democratic Party presidential candidate shared her strategy at a Wall Street fundraising event on Sunday.
Incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris has finally addressed the topics of cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence (AI). The Democratic Party’s presidential hopeful expressed her views on these vital issues at a fundraising event in Wall Street on Sunday, where she secured $27 million for her campaign.
Official Statements from VP Kamala Harris on Crypto and AI
As reported by Bloomberg, Harris intends to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance competitiveness in these fields. “Together, we will invest in America’s competitiveness and future,” Harris stated during the event. “We will support innovative technologies including AI and digital assets while safeguarding our consumers and investors.”
The Vice President also committed to dismantling bureaucratic obstacles in these industries. “We will foster a secure business environment with clear and transparent regulations,” she continued. “We will invest in semiconductors, clean energy, and other future-oriented industries, and we will eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy.”
It’s important to note that prior to her speech last Sunday, Harris had remained silent on these matters, particularly regarding cryptocurrencies. This raised concerns within the crypto community that her victory could perpetuate the stringent policies implemented by her ally, President Joe Biden.
Kamala Harris’ Connections to Crypto
Following her entry into the campaign for the 2024 election, her only connection to cryptocurrency appeared to be her ties with former NBA Sacramento Kings’ chief technology officer (CTO) Ryan Montoya, under whose tenure the team engaged significantly in Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), crypto mining, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Additionally, her husband, Douglas Emhoff, has been a well-known investor in Treasury bonds and emerging markets.
Moreover, Harris’ senior campaign adviser, Brian Nelson, indicated, “She’s committed to supporting policies that facilitate the growth of emerging technologies and the industry.”
SkyBridge Capital founder and managing partner Anthony Scaramucci also revealed that he and a coalition of crypto advocates are collaborating with Harris to develop a favorable digital asset agenda. He further noted that this group is working to distance the presidential candidate from notable anti-crypto figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren and SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad interpreted Harris’ recent comments as a promising shift in crypto policies should she prevail in the election. While he remarked that her vision wasn’t “as forward-leaning as the concrete and visionary positions taken by Donald Trump,” he acknowledged that the VP’s speech carries significant weight.
Members of the crypto community expressed that Harris’ statements arrived too late to be impactful. As the sitting vice president, she had ample opportunity to initiate reforms that could bolster digital assets, yet opted for silence in light of the scrutiny faced by her allies.
On the flip side, Ethereum co-founder and Cardano (ADA) founder Charles Hoskinson seems to find himself torn between Harris and Trump’s stances on crypto. He cautioned that Trump’s involvement might create complexities in regulation, and his interests in crypto through World Liberty Financial could disrupt the market. Simultaneously, he warned that Harris is likely to align her views with Biden’s existing policies.
