Vice President Kamala Harris will announce her support for a "regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets" in her campaign speech in Erie, Pennsylvania, her campaign team announced on Monday morning.
The campaign team said the speech will be part of a broader "Opportunity Agenda" address aimed at strengthening Harris' support among Black male voters, but did not elaborate on the specific content Harris may mention regarding the digital asset industry.
A press release stated: "Vice President Harris knows that over 20% of African Americans own or have owned cryptocurrency assets, which is why her plan will ensure that owners and investors of digital assets can benefit from a regulatory framework that protects Black men and other communities participating in this market."
Accompanying documents expressed similar sentiments, stating that her agenda will be "informed by insights from her career experience." The document also stated: "Vice President Harris understands how new technologies can expand access to banking and financial services." It then reiterated the press release's statement about the regulatory framework.
Harris has not frequently mentioned cryptocurrency during her campaign, only referencing "digital assets" and "blockchain" a few times in fundraising events and policy documents. In contrast, former President Donald Trump has made some overtures to the cryptocurrency industry, promising to appoint friendly regulators and stating he would form a "Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Advisory Council" at the Bitcoin Nashville conference.
Last month, Trump visited the Bitcoin bar PubKey in New York City and, with the help of bar staff, used Bitcoin to purchase a hamburger.
Participants in the cryptocurrency industry have conducted multiple polls to gauge voter interest in the industry. A Harris poll funded by Grayscale (unrelated to the Vice President) showed that 77% of potential voters want candidates to be knowledgeable about cryptocurrency, and 21% of respondents hold at least some cryptocurrency.
