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Virtual Meeting on Cryptocurrency Involves Key Political Figures
On August 8, a significant virtual meeting centered around cryptocurrency was convened by Congressman Ro Khanna. Esteemed government representatives, including Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo and Kristine Lucius, who previously served as Chief of Staff for Kamala Harris, participated in the event, as reported by Fox News’ Eleanor Terret.
White House advisor Anita Dunn, National Economic Council Chair Lael Brainard, and Deputy Chief of Staff Bruce Reed were anticipated attendees. However, it was noted that Dunn did not participate, despite her involvement in prior discussions on similar topics.
The gathering also featured prominent figures from the investment community, such as billionaire Mark Cuban and renowned Silicon Valley investor Ron Conway, alongside other industry leaders whose names were not disclosed. Specific details regarding the meeting’s discussions remain confidential, and no public comments from the participants have been released to date.
Campaign Strategy Shifts Towards Cryptocurrency
This meeting forms part of a larger initiative aimed at enhancing Harris’ appeal within the cryptocurrency sector. In a strategic move, Democrats have established a new advocacy organization titled “Crypto for Harris,” designed to mitigate the increasing influence of former President Donald Trump in this domain.
The newly formed group intends to organize a virtual town hall next week, featuring key industry figures, including Cuban and Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital. Several Democratic lawmakers are also expected to join the event.
Advocacy for Blockchain Leadership
Jonathan Padilla, the CEO of Snickerdoodle, a Web3 marketing agency, and a key organizer for Crypto for Harris, emphasized the importance of the United States maintaining its leadership position in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space. He stated, “Organizations like Crypto for Harris are dedicated to fostering the correct policies and dialogues necessary for achieving that goal.”
Countering Trump’s Crypto Influence
The purpose of the event is to position Harris as a strong pro-crypto candidate, directly challenging Trump’s attempts to secure the support of the cryptocurrency community. Additional measures taken by her campaign include the recruitment of former crypto advisors David Plouffe and Gene Sperling.
Trump has been vocal about his support for cryptocurrency since May, when he began accepting Bitcoin (BTC) donations for his campaign. He has since declared his intention to reverse the current administration’s stance on cryptocurrency and has made bold promises, including the dismissal of SEC Chairman Gary Gensler on the first day of his presidency and transforming the U.S. into a “superpower” of Bitcoin, as stated during this year’s Bitcoin Conference in Nashville.
Even though Trump’s chances of winning the election were estimated at 72% on the Polygon-based prediction market Polymarket on July 16, those odds have since declined. As of this writing, both Harris and Trump are now viewed as equally likely to win, each holding a 49% chance.
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