Kamala Harris’ VP picks and their potential impact on crypto

With Joe Biden leaving office, Kamala Harris’ crypto stance and the views of her potential running mates are becoming clear.

President Joe Biden’s announcement on Sunday that he will not seek re-election in 2024 has turned the spotlight on Vice President Kamala Harris as the likely Democratic nominee. As Harris prepares to potentially lead the party into the next presidential race, questions remain about her stance on cryptocurrencies, which she has yet to address publicly.

Ryan Montoya, who was appointed director of planning and advancement for the Biden-Harris campaign in 2020, brings a tech-savvy perspective to Harris’s circle. As the former CTO of the Sacramento Kings and an outspoken advocate for blockchain technology, Montoya’s influence suggests a nuanced approach to digital assets in the Harris camp.

Still, there has been speculation about Harris’ potential running mates, and her positions on crypto remain unclear. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has endorsed Harris and encouraged party unity, has not made specific statements on crypto despite recent state-level developments in Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework; he reportedly decided to include “cryptocurrency” in the definition of “money” for purposes of the state’s money transmission law.

On the other hand, California Governor Gavin Newsom, one of the potential candidates for the vice presidential position, has taken a proactive stance on cryptocurrencies by recently introducing a law similar to New York’s “BitLicense” and has emphasized his support for blockchain innovation.

While media reports have identified at least nine candidates as Harris’ running mate, their diverse backgrounds and policy positions add complexity to the Democratic ticket. Amid this uncertainty, Harris’ relative silence on crypto stands in sharp contrast to former President Donald Trump’s recent backpedaling, when he loudly embraced crypto support at the national level.

With Biden stepping back from the spotlight, all eyes are on Harris and her potential role in crypto as the November election approaches.