Crypto Surges Past $200M in US Corporate Election Spending
US corporate political funding reached a record $646 million during the current cycle, with crypto contributing $206 million and leading every business sector tracked by Public Citizen.
The total covers the 18 months through June 2026, according to the group's analysis of Federal Election Commission donation data released on August 27. Corporate spending rose 40% above the previous record from 2024.
Digital assets, artificial intelligence, and online betting companies together accounted for $344 million in total corporate contributions.
The crypto industry wants federal rules that can remain in place when administrations and agency leadership change, which is why they're pushing for the CLARITY Act, a market-structure bill passed by the House 294-134 in July 2025. They also want modernized bank charters, direct payment-rail access, workable tax rules for small transactions, and federal protection for noncustodial software from state money-transmitter licensing.
The September 15 cloture vote on the CLARITY Act represents a major test for the industry's Washington strategy. Industry voices have warned that SEC and CFTC policy changes may not endure without legislation, as new leadership could reverse agency-level decisions when political control changes.