Stand With Crypto Backs Bipartisan Candidates Amid Record-Breaking Crypto Spending

Stand With Crypto, a Coinbase-backed advocacy group, has endorsed bipartisan Senate candidates in Ohio, Iowa, and New Hampshire as part of its effort to influence crypto policy. The endorsements follow the Senate's failure to advance the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, which had been supported by industry groups but ultimately received 49 votes in favor and 50 against.

Stand With Crypto has endorsed Republican Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio, who is running against former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a critic of the crypto industry. The group has also backed Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire, who is seeking re-election against former Republican Sen. John Sununu.

The endorsements are based on candidates' positions on crypto policy, regardless of party affiliation. Stand With Crypto operates differently from super PACs, focusing on voter mobilization and candidate endorsements rather than making direct campaign contributions. The group's executive director, Mason Lynaugh, said that its more than three million advocates were now focused on electing candidates who would continue pushing for clear crypto regulations.

The move comes as crypto-related political spending reaches record levels, with industry contributions to the 2026 election cycle totaling $206 million. Fairshake, the industry's leading super PAC network, has prepared at least $30 million to oppose Brown in Ohio and has directed money toward congressional races where digital asset regulation is a major issue.