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Stand With Crypto steps up for congressional races

Crypto lobbying group Stand With Crypto has broadened its political support strategy ahead of the next U.S. Congress. According to Bloomberg, the group said it will back a slate of candidates running for Senate seats in 2026, as well as several contenders for the House of Representatives. The move underscores how the fight over digital asset regulation in Washington has become increasingly tied to the election calendar.

The group was launched by Coinbase in 2023 to advocate for clearer rules for the crypto sector. The announcement of its endorsement list came at a time when polls were showing Democrats with a possible path to regaining control of the House and Senate in 2027.

Which candidates are being backed?

The candidates named by Stand With Crypto include both Republicans and Democrats. By not limiting its support to the Senate, the group is signaling that it wants to influence both chambers of Congress.

  • For the Senate: Republican Jon Husted (Ohio), Republican Ashley Hinson (Iowa) and Democrat Chris Pappas (New Hampshire)
  • For the House of Representatives: Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa) and Democrat Shomari Figures (Alabama)

The group also announced in August that it was backing 32 House candidates it said had taken a strong stance on digital asset policy.

Why has the CLARITY Act come back into focus?

The balance of power in Congress is seen as crucial for the fate of bills affecting the digital asset industry. Chief among them is the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, which passed the House in 2025 with bipartisan support but failed to secure enough backing in a key procedural vote in the Republican-controlled Senate earlier this month.

In a statement after September 15, Stand With Crypto warned that politicians who do not support the bill could face political consequences. The backdrop suggests that regulation will remain at the center of campaign debates for crypto companies and investors alike.

Election spending puts crypto back in the spotlight

With 34 days to go before the midterms, crypto-linked political spending is drawing renewed attention. Fairshake PAC, backed by contributions from Coinbase, Ripple Labs and Andreessen Horowitz, has pledged to spend $30 million in an initial push in Ohio in favor of Husted.

The group’s total spending nationwide as of June was reported at $82 million. It was also noted that outside groups spent more than $300 million in Ohio during the 2024 races. The figures show that the battle over U.S. crypto regulation is now not only a technology or finance issue, but also a direct part of election economics.

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