Vice President Kamala Harris addressed digital assets publicly for the first time since becoming the Democratic candidate for the presidency.
Speaking at a Wall Street fundraiser in Manhattan, she stressed the need to drive innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto while maintaining a focus on protecting investors and consumers.
According to Bloomberg, she further stressed the importance of establishing a transparent and consistent regulatory framework to create a secure environment for businesses to thrive. Harris also mentioned plans to invest in sectors like semiconductors and clean energy while reducing bureaucratic obstacles.
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The crypto community has long awaited Harris' stance on crypto, wondering if she would deviate from the policies of President Joe Biden, who has been perceived as somewhat resistant to the industry's growth.
Faryar Shirzad, Chief Policy Officer at Coinbase, noted that while Harris' stance was not as bold as former President Donald Trump's, it was still a sign that the era of strict anti-crypto policies might be ending.
Meanwhile, Jake Chervinsky, Chief Legal Officer at crypto venture capital firm Variant, expressed cautious optimism on X.
Harris' opponent in the upcoming election, Donald Trump, has positioned himself as a strong advocate for crypto. Speaking at the Bitcoin conference this year, he vowed to remove Gary Gensler as Chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), saying he "blocked the future" of the crypto industry.
Additionally, Trump's family is launching a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform called World Liberty Financial, and he recently bought burgers for supporters, paying in Bitcoin.
Therefore, this first step from Harris signals a shift in the conversation around crypto in US politics, with both candidates now openly addressing the industry.
