Stand With Crypto Announces Key Endorsements for Upcoming Congressional Sessions Amidst Evolving Crypto Regulatory Landscape

Washington D.C. – Stand With Crypto, an industry-aligned organization established in 2023 by Coinbase with the stated mission of advocating for "clear, common-sense regulations for the crypto industry," has revealed its selections of candidates to support in the forthcoming sessions of the U.S. Congress. The organization’s strategic endorsements highlight a concerted effort to influence legislative outcomes concerning digital assets, particularly in the wake of recent setbacks for crypto-related legislation.

The organization’s focus extends to key Senate races in 2026. Among the notable endorsements are Republican Jon Husted for a Senate seat in Ohio, Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa, and Democrat Chris Pappas in New Hampshire. The race in Ohio is particularly significant, as incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, is set to defend his seat. In the previous election cycle, Brown lost to Republican Bernie Moreno after significant external spending, exceeding $300 million, targeted the Ohio Senate race. The inclusion of Husted, a Republican, indicates Stand With Crypto’s bipartisan approach to securing legislative allies.

Beyond the Senate, Stand With Crypto has also declared its support for several candidates vying for seats in the House of Representatives. These endorsements include Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa and Democrat Shomari Figures in Alabama. These choices are particularly noteworthy as current polling trends suggest a potential shift in congressional control, with Democrats favored to regain majorities in both the House and the Senate in 2027. Such a shift in power could profoundly impact the legislative agenda and the approach lawmakers take towards bills impacting the digital asset sector.

The significance of these endorsements is underscored by the recent failure of the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act to advance in the Republican-controlled Senate. The bill, which aims to establish a comprehensive market structure for digital assets, fell short of the necessary votes for a cloture motion on September 15th, despite having previously passed the House with bipartisan support in 2025. The stalled progress of the CLARITY Act highlights the challenges and complexities of navigating the current legislative environment for cryptocurrency.

This is not the first time Stand With Crypto has actively engaged in candidate endorsements. In August, the organization publicly backed 32 House candidates, whom it characterized as "proven digital asset policy champions." This earlier round of endorsements also emphasized the potential to influence voter sentiment in critical electoral contests.

The recent vote on the CLARITY Act has amplified the stakes for the crypto industry and its advocates. Following the Senate’s failure to advance the bill, Stand With Crypto issued a warning, suggesting "consequences" for lawmakers who did not support it. This statement signals a clear intent to hold elected officials accountable for their stances on digital asset regulation.

With the midterm elections on the horizon, a period of intense political activity, the crypto industry has demonstrably increased its financial involvement in political campaigns. Political action committees (PACs) and direct campaign donations are serving as conduits for this financial support. The Fairshake PAC, a prominent entity largely funded by major cryptocurrency players such as Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Andreessen Horowitz, has been particularly active. The PAC has pledged substantial financial backing, including an initial $30 million commitment to support Jon Husted in his Senate race against Sherrod Brown in Ohio. As of June, Fairshake PAC had reportedly invested $82 million across various candidates nationwide.

Mason Lynaugh, Executive Director of Stand With Crypto, addressed the financial contributions from the crypto industry, stating that "there isn’t any evidence that crypto industry organizations are able to buy any assurances of who will win a race." He elaborated on the organization’s endorsement of Jon Husted, describing him as a "proven pro-crypto lawmaker." Lynaugh emphasized that Husted’s vote in favor of the CLARITY Act, which is considered the industry’s "top policy priority," was the primary driver for the endorsement.

Lynaugh also contrasted Husted’s record with that of his opponent, Sherrod Brown. "When his opponent [Brown] was last in the Senate, he was a leading anti-crypto voice from a very influential position on the Senate Banking Committee," Lynaugh stated. He further emphasized the organization’s commitment to tangible legislative action, asserting, "Actions speak louder than words. While former Senator Brown’s recent remarks about crypto’s role in the national economy are encouraging, it’s track record that matters the most in our endorsement process." This statement underscores Stand With Crypto’s focus on a candidate’s past voting record and legislative actions as the decisive factors in their endorsement decisions, rather than solely relying on recent pronouncements.

The cryptocurrency industry’s increasing engagement in political advocacy and campaign finance reflects a strategic pivot to influence regulatory outcomes. As legislative battles over digital assets continue to unfold, the endorsements and financial backing from organizations like Stand With Crypto are poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of cryptocurrency regulation in the United States. The upcoming congressional sessions will be a critical period for assessing the effectiveness of these advocacy efforts and their impact on the legislative landscape.