Coinbase-Backed Crypto Advocacy Group Unveils 2026 Election Plan

Stand With Crypto (SWC), the advocacy group launched by cryptocurrency change Coinbase, mentioned that its technique for turning out crypto-minded voters within the 2026 US midterm elections will prioritize races in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In a Thursday announcement, SWC mentioned its November 2026 battleground races would come with industry-supported candidates in Iowa, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, the place “crypto voters characterize a significant and doubtlessly decisive share of the citizens.”

The advocacy group added that its precedence for the midterms can be in Ohio’s ninth Congressional District and Pennsylvania’s tenth Congressional District, the place the respective incumbents Democrat Marcy Kaptur and Republican Scott Perry “have regarding information on crypto coverage.” Perry voted in opposition to the GENIUS Act in 2025, whereas Kaptur voted in opposition to the fee stablecoins invoice and the CLARITY market construction invoice.

Stand With Crypto mentioned it will use an “aggressive, get-out-the-vote effort” with its advocates, together with “paid media campaigns throughout digital and unsolicited mail, focused SMS outreach, and sturdy digital organizing by e mail and social platforms” in addition to groundwork to end up crypto voters. The group’s platform consists of data on candidates’ positions on crypto coverage primarily based on their public statements, voting information and their responses to the group’s questionnaire. 

Launched in 2023 as a part of an effort to “unite world crypto advocates,” SWC is one among a number of crypto-affiliated organizations anticipated to affect voters in 2026. The group reported about 270 “pro-crypto” candidates gained seats within the US Home of Representatives and Senate in 2024, with lots of the similar candidates up for reelection this 12 months.

Associated: Crypto-backed PAC spends $8.6M in Illinois races forward of US midterms

Stand With Crypto mentioned in November 2025 that how US lawmakers vote on a crypto market construction invoice may impression their reelection prospects. On the time, the Senate was anticipated to maneuver ahead on market construction laws, however it’s nonetheless unclear if or when the invoice will advance out of committee and for a full ground vote.

“[As] market construction laws continues to be negotiated in Congress, 74% of crypto house owners say they might be extra prone to help a candidate who helps making clearer rules for cryptocurrency, with practically a 3rd (31%) who say they might be more likely to help such a candidate,” SWC mentioned as a part of a February survey of 1,000 crypto holders.

2026 races seen testing crypto {industry}’s impression on candidates

Cash from the crypto {industry} funneled by political motion committees (PACs) like Fairshake could have already influenced 2026 voters in early state primaries.

Defend Progress, a Fairshake affiliate spent $1.5 million opposing the reelection of Texas Consultant Al Inexperienced, who has served in Congress since 2005. Though Inexperienced didn’t lose the Democratic main, he’ll head to a runoff with Christian Menefee in Could. SWC rated Menefee as “strongly helps crypto.”

Nonetheless, in Illinois, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton gained the Democratic Senate main in opposition to Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. The victory got here regardless of crypto-tied lobbyists spending thousands and thousands of {dollars} on media buys supporting Krishnamoorthi. Stratton is predicted to win within the basic election and take the seat of retiring Democratic Senator Dick Durbin.