How Has Cryptocurrency Reshaped American Politics?

At a luxury resort in Wyoming’s mountains, the crypto industry celebrated what it called a historic turning point in Washington for 2025.

After years of skepticism and restrictive regulations, crypto’s path through Congress now appears smoother—thanks, some say, to “paid influence.”

According to an Associated Press report, during a panel hosted by the Blockchain Wyoming conference, Republican Senator Tim Scott didn’t hesitate to credit the shift: “I have to thank you all for getting rid of Sherrod Brown”—referring to the Ohio Democrat who lost his seat to crypto-backed Republican Bernie Moreno.

In the 2024 elections, crypto-aligned groups poured over $40 million into Moreno’s campaign—four times more than the industry had ever spent on a single race. Brown, who chaired the Senate Banking Committee when Democrats held the majority, was one of crypto’s fiercest critics in Washington. His defeat sent a clear message: oppose the industry, lose your seat.

Now, without Brown at the committee helm, pro-crypto legislation is advancing rapidly. A bill regulating stablecoins has already passed, and broader legislation to overhaul digital asset regulation is underway.

From the White House, President Donald Trump has declared full support for making the U.S. the “global crypto capital.” Reports suggest his family holds stakes in crypto-related firms.

Brown, now aiming for a 2026 comeback, previously warned after Sam Bankman-Fried’s 2023 conviction: “Americans keep losing money to crypto fraud. We can’t let the industry write its own rules.” Yet recently, he’s struck a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging crypto’s economic role.

**A Fierce Political Race**

Meanwhile, Republican John Heusted—newly appointed to the Senate and a vocal crypto supporter—is preparing to face Brown. Heusted backed the GENIUS Act, which regulates stablecoins. Analysts predict a brutal race, especially as massive political groups like Fairshake (backed by Coinbase) have already raised over $140 million by mid-2025 to support crypto-friendly candidates.

Public opinion remains divided: 55% of Americans still see crypto as high-risk. But younger demographics—especially men under 50—are increasingly engaged, giving the industry a growing electoral base alongside its financial clout.

Crypto is no longer just an emerging technology—it’s a political and economic force capable of toppling opponents and rewriting Washington’s rules of the game.