Crypto lobbying surges as industry gains political footing in Washington

Following a presidential pardon that sparked debate over influence and access, crypto companies and PACs are ramping up political spending as the sector matures into a Washington power player.

Crypto’s relationship with Washington is rapidly evolving as the industry takes a more assertive role in US politics, signaling a shift from outsider status to growing influence across the federal landscape. This week on Byte-Sized Insight, we examine how lobbying, political spending and access are reshaping crypto’s presence in the Capitol and what that may mean for decentralization, market competition and future policy.

The recent presidential pardon of Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao catalyzed the conversation, prompting scrutiny into whether crypto’s expanding political footprint is driving outcomes. While some industry figures framed the case as government overreach, critics pointed to lobbying pressure and high-level connections as evidence of swelling influence.

Against that backdrop, crypto advocacy in Washington has accelerated dramatically. According to data shared with Cointelegraph, lobbying expenditures by crypto-aligned entities have climbed sharply since 2021.

Read more