The speakers and entertainers on the second evening of the America Loves Crypto tour were just as passionate and committed to mobilizing the crypto vote as those from the previous night.
This event, held at The Space in Las Vegas, featured various political figures and leaders from the crypto industry, including Sonny Vinuya, Outreach Director for Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R); Rudy Pamintuan, Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Stavros S. Anthony (R); Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine (D); and Kate Rouch, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Coinbase, among others. The event also included performances by rapper and singer 070 Shake and Las Vegas-based DJ 3LAU.
The recurring themes articulated by the speakers and performers were that cryptocurrency is here to stay, Nevada will serve as a hub for the crypto industry, and that the crypto vote is critically important in Nevada, a swing state with a population exceeding 3.1 million, where the margin in the 2024 Presidential election was merely 33,516 votes.
Securing Success for Pro-Crypto Candidates in Nevada
“We must ensure that our leaders and policymakers are those who align with our beliefs,” Pamintuan, a crypto investor since 2015, conveyed to the audience.
“In this upcoming election cycle, particularly here in Nevada, victories will be decided by just 1 or 2 percentage points. That translates to around 15,000 to 30,000 votes,” he elaborated.
“When you tally how many individuals in our state are crypto investors, that figure significantly exceeds the margin of victory.”
“Significantly exceeds” is indeed an understatement, as 385,000 residents of Nevada own cryptocurrency, according to the Stand With Crypto Alliance. This statistic was prominently displayed throughout the event.
“In my line of work, we often say the market will decide,” Conine began.
“Well, let me tell you, folks: You are the market, and your vote holds weight. Elections in this state are consistently very close, not because everyone participates and both sides are even, but because only some cast their votes while many remain at home,” he continued, urging attendees who were not yet registered to vote and emphasizing that the crypto vote could be a game-changer in upcoming elections at both the state and federal levels.
Rouch, who resides in Nevada, also rallied the audience with a call to action.
“We need every one of you this election year,” she stated.
“It’s crucial to determine where the politicians in your district and the state stand on crypto — to really challenge them with the tough questions — and to encourage your friends and family to get out there and vote.”
Nevada’s Role as a Hub for Bitcoin and Crypto
“Las Vegas is a city of opportunity — beyond just the casino floors,” Vinuya remarked from the stage.
“Nevada is evolving into a center for technological advancement, financial innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth,” he added, mentioning that the Governor’s Office of Economic Development facilitated $5 billion in investments last year, contributing to a 4% job growth during the same period.
This growth trend has been supported by Nevada’s adoption of the crypto sector.
“In addition to these exciting accomplishments under the leadership of Governor Lombardo and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Nevada has emerged as a hub for innovators in blockchain technology and cryptocurrency,” he explained.
Vinuya further noted that next year’s Bitcoin conference will take place in Las Vegas.
“Here in our state, we follow a guiding principle defined by Governor Lombardo called ‘the Nevada way,’ which signifies that as Nevadans, we never give up, we never yield, and we continuously strive to dream big,” he concluded. “The spirit of the Nevada Way thrives within the Bitcoin community, and we warmly welcome your innovation and ambitious aspirations in Nevada.”
Harnessing Political Momentum
According to Rouch, we’ve reached a pivotal moment with cryptocurrency, and politicians can no longer afford to remain neutral, which is why Coinbase backs the Stand With Crypto Alliance.
“What we really mean is ‘take notice,’” Rouch told Bitcoin Magazine. “This is important to a significant number of voters.”
Citing that 52 million Americans from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses now own cryptocurrency, Rouch articulated that politicians, even at the federal level, are recognizing the significance of this issue and are responding accordingly.
“We’ve witnessed undeniable progress in Washington, D.C. from both political parties over the past year,” she stated.
“We had FIT21 pass in the House through a bipartisan effort, which is unprecedented. Politicians are finally vocalizing their positions on crypto, and I’m feeling very optimistic about that,” she added.
Rouch was not the only speaker or performer at the event to exude optimism.
Before kicking off his DJ set, 3LAU recounted how he encountered the Winklevoss twins, early bitcoin adopters and founders of the Gemini crypto exchange, at a gig a decade ago. He narrated how they introduced him to Bitcoin that night, igniting hope within him.
“Bitcoin has transformed my life, and that has remained true for the past decade,” 3LAU expressed to the audience before beginning his DJ performance.
“This election is likely the most significant of my life. We have the opportunity — to shape the future of the financial system or to adhere to the outdated legacy systems we’ve endured,” he asserted.
“And we’re all going to fucking vote for crypto.”
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