Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has cautioned US Vice President Kamala Harris against associating with anti-crypto lawmakers. His warning came after a video clip surfaced on social media. As many other people in crypto, Garlinghouse believes going against crypto might lead to losing votes, and thus looking election to Donald Trump, who is a biggest Bitcoin fan now.
In the clip, US Representative Brad Sherman mocked Bitcoin. He compared it to a new coin called "Skibidi". Garlinghouse didn't mince words in his response.
"It would behoove VP Harris to not listen to (and distance herself asap from) folks like this who spout utter nonsense," he wrote on X. The Ripple CEO didn't stop there.
He pointed out a growing political divide on crypto. Democrats, he noted, aren't winning any votes with their anti-crypto stance. Republicans, on the other hand, are gaining support by embracing the technology.
This advice comes at a crucial time for Harris. President Joe Biden recently endorsed her as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming elections. He dropped out of the race himself.
Garlinghouse believes crypto-friendliness could be a make-or-break issue in the 2024 presidential elections. He's not alone in this view. Many in the crypto community share his sentiment.
The Democrats have a reputation for being anti-crypto. This includes outgoing President Biden. Even his recent SEC Commissioner nominee, Caroline Crenshaw, is known for her skeptical stance on digital assets.
Only a handful of Democrats, like Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand, have shown support for crypto, other have either shown no interest in crypto whatsoever, or have been rather negative. This puts the party at odds with a growing voter base.
Harris's own stance on crypto remains murky. She recently declined an invitation to speak at the Bitcoin Conference in Nashville. This move raised eyebrows in the crypto community.
Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey saw a silver lining in Harris's absence. He suggested it might avert a "potential disaster". Bailey cited Harris's involvement in policies that have led to the imprisonment of crypto developers and driven the industry overseas.
The VP's refusal to attend the conference had a domino effect. It prompted Republican nominee Donald Trump to back out of two planned debates with Harris. This unexpected turn of events left many, including the crypto community, scratching their heads.
Garlinghouse, for his part, remains open-minded about Harris. He urged others to judge candidates based on policies, not party lines. Given her Silicon Valley background, he believes Harris has a unique opportunity to reset critical issues like crypto regulation.