Ripple co-founder endorses Harris for president: report

Nearly 90 corporate leaders, including Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, signed a letter endorsing Kamala Harris for president.

The crypto landscape appears to be more divided in terms of political campaigns as the latest voices push support for Kamala Harris. According to a CNBC report, 88 corporate leaders, including Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, have publicly supported Kamala Harris for president in a new letter.

The list of other signers includes Yelp chief executive Jeremy Stoppelman and Michael Lynton, chairman of Snap, among others. The letter states that the “best way to support the continued strength, security, and reliability of our democracy and economy” is by electing Harris president.

The endorsement coincides with recent revelations that Harris’s campaign is leveraging Coinbase’s Commerce platform to accept cryptocurrency donations. Alesia Haas, Coinbase‘s CFO, disclosed this development during the Citi 2024 Global TMT Conference.

Coinbase confirmed that Future Forward, Harris’s official super PAC, has integrated with its platform.

Crypto leaders’ support for Harris indicates policy shift

The endorsement and Coinbase’s involvement come amid a broader shift in crypto lobbying efforts. Under President Joe Biden, the Democratic Party has generally adopted a cautious stance toward cryptocurrency, in contrast to the more favorable view held by Republicans.

The endorsement of Harris by crypto leaders suggests a possible change in this dynamic. Advocacy group Crypto4Harris has noted that while Harris has not yet publicly integrated crypto donations on her official fundraising site, her campaign’s actions could indicate a growing openness to the digital asset sector.

This political pivot comes as the Digital Chamber, a prominent blockchain trade association, has also urged Harris to adopt a more progressive stance on digital assets. Their letter, sent in July, reflects a broader push for policy reform that embraces the potential of blockchain technology.

As the 2024 election approaches, the crypto community’s alignment with Harris could signal a transformative shift in regulatory attitudes toward digital assets, marking a potential departure from the previous administration’s policies.