Where Harris and Trump stand on cryptocurrencies — and how it could sway some American voters

Donald Trump speaks at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference in July 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.& (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) by Denis Schweizer, Concordia University and Juliane Proelss, Concordia University Donald Trump’s recent embrace of cryptocurrency at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville marks a significant shift from the former U.S. president’s earlier skepticism. Once a vocal critic, Trump now positions himself as a champion of digital assets, reflecting the broader convergence of politics and crypto in what is increasingly referred to as “PolitiFi.” But even though Trump’s pivot garnered significant attention, it’s essential to explore how stances on cryptocurrency regulation could influence some voters in the United States leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Biden’s evolving crypto stance Historically, President Joe Biden’s administration and prominent Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have expressed concerns about cryptocurrencies, focusing on risks related to consumer protection, financial stability and the potential for money laundering. Gary Gensler, chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, has played a key role in this stance. He’s advocated for treating many crypto assets as securities, thereby subjecting them to strict regulations similar to those governing stocks and bonds. But the rising influence of cryptocurrencies has led to a shift...