Fourteen Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison and "prospective presidential candidates" asking them to "take a forward-looking approach to digital assets and blockchain technology." The members of Congress sent their letter on July 26, and it was shared on X by Uniswap CEO Hayden Adams.
According to the letter, the members of Congress said the blockchain and digital asset ecosystem holds "immense potential for American innovation, economic growth, and financial inclusion." They stated that the "previous hostility" shown by Democratic leaders and by the current U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) toward the crypto industry does not reflect the Party's "progressive, forward-looking, and inclusive values." A refreshed leader of the ticket represents an opportunity to change that perception.
The policymakers asked Chair Harrison to take four actions. First, they said "pro-digital asset language" should be included in the Democratic Party's platform. Second, they asked for a guarantee that the presidential nominee selects a vice-presidential candidate who is "sophisticated in digital asset policy." Third, they suggested selecting a new SEC Chair who supports innovation while protecting consumers. Lastly, they called for open dialogue with industry experts.
The legislators noted that more than 52 million Americans "have embraced digital assets" due to their potential for innovation and economic opportunity. Digital assets are particularly popular among young people, people of color, and immigrants. They also mentioned that many Americans feel left behind by the current financial system and believe it favors "the elites" over "regular people." Crypto and blockchain represent a revolutionary shift that can enhance transparency, reduce fraud, and create a more inclusive financial system. They added that this technology is non-partisan and urged the Democratic Party to champion these innovations to help reaffirm the U.S.'s position as a leader in the global digital economy.
Adams commented on X: "Crypto is good for America (+ the world) and should have bipartisan support," adding that there is a growing wing within Democrats that want the party to be pro-crypto and innovation. He expressed hope that this trend would continue, stating: "We’re way better off if the parties are fighting to be most pro-crypto than if crypto policy swings back and forth based on which party controls the government at that moment."
The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Collin Allred, Nikki Budzinski, Angie Craig, Don Davis, Dan Goldman, Josh Gottheimer, Vicente Gonzalez, Ro Khanna, Jared Moskowitz, Wiley Nickel, Brittany Pettersen, Pat Ryan, Hillary Scholten, and Ritchie Torres. Several Congressional candidates and state legislators also signed it.
