Kamala Harris’ VP picks and their potential impact on crypto
As Joe Biden steps aside, Kamala Harris’ crypto stance and her potential running mates’ views come into focus.
President Joe Biden‘s announcement on Sunday that he will not seek re-election in 2024 has shifted attention to Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic candidate. As Harris prepares to potentially lead the party into the next presidential race, questions linger over her stance on crypto, an issue she has yet to publicly address.
Ryan Montoya, appointed as the director of scheduling & advance for the Biden-Harris campaign in 2020, brings a tech-savvy perspective to Harris’ circle. As the former CTO of the Sacramento Kings and a vocal advocate for blockchain technology, Montoya’s influence suggests a nuanced approach to digital assets within the Harris camp.
Yet, speculation surrounds Harris’ possible running mates, with their positions on crypto remaining uncertain. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has endorsed Harris and urged party unity, hasn’t made specific statements on crypto despite recent state-level developments in Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework, which reportedly decided to include “cryptocurrency” in its definition of “money” for the purposes of the state’s money transmission law.
In contrast, California Governor Gavin Newsom, another potential contender for the VP slot, has demonstrated a proactive stance on crypto as he recently enacted legislation akin to New York’s “BitLicense,” underscoring his support for blockchain innovation.
With media reports identifying at least nine candidates in consideration for Harris’ running mate, their varied backgrounds and policy positions add complexity to the Democratic ticket. Amid this uncertainty, Harris’ relative silence on crypto stands in stark contrast to former President Donald Trump‘s recent reversal, where he has vocally embraced crypto support at a national level.
For now, as Biden transitions out of the spotlight, all eyes are on Harris and her potential role stance on crypto as elections in November approach.
