Kamala Harris‘ selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her vice-presidential running mate has stirred mixed reactions in the cryptocurrency community.
Neither Harris nor Walz has a clear stance on digital assets and blockchain technology, leading to uncertainty among industry leaders and crypto enthusiasts.
Governor Tim Walz, who has served as Minnesota’s governor since 2019 and was a U.S. House Representative for 12 years, has not made significant statements about crypto or blockchain.
His focus has largely been on other issues, such as climate change, intending to achieve 100% clean electricity in Minnesota by 2040. This lack of a clear position on digital assets has left the crypto community speculating about its potential regulatory approach.
Darren Parkin, editorial director of The Digital Commonwealth, noted that Walz is known for his regulatory tendencies, but his specific views on Bitcoin and crypto remain unclear.
This ambiguity has led to concerns about how his potential vice presidency might influence the crypto industry.
The 2024 presidential election will see Harris and Walz facing off against Republican nominee Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance.
The stark differences between the two campaigns extend to their views on digital assets.
Trump, who previously criticized Bitcoin as “not money” and “based on thin air,” has recently embraced crypto more openly. His campaign has accepted crypto contributions and engaged with representatives of Bitcoin mining firms.
North Carolina Representative Wiley Nickel emphasized the importance of keeping crypto issues bipartisan. He warned that politicizing the industry could hinder progress in Congress for the next decade.
This sentiment reflects a broader concern within the crypto community about the potential for regulatory policies to become heavily politicized.
Despite the uncertainties, some figures with crypto industry experience have joined Harris’ campaign.
Economics adviser Gene Sperling and former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, both of whom have worked with Ripple and Binance, are reportedly supporting Harris.
Their involvement may provide some reassurance to the crypto community regarding the campaign’s openness to digital assets.
