On September 6, Jesse Pollak, the lead developer of Coinbase-backed Ethereum Layer-2 network Base, announced that three congressional candidates had begun accepting cryptocurrency donations through the platform.
Although Pollak did not disclose their names, this move highlights the growing acceptance of crypto donations in the current election cycle.
Crypto Donations Gain Momentum via Base
Pollak mentioned that Supportcrypto.org, a website run by Digital Democracy, onboarded the congressional candidates. Supportcrypto.org allows users to donate using over 240 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, or through credit card payments.
The platform claims that crypto donations are faster, more secure, and comply with US regulations. It also adds that only the necessary information is collected to meet compliance requirements.
“Today, the future of digital currencies is being negotiated in Washington D.C. By supporting blockchain-friendly candidates through cryptocurrency, you are championing the future of online currencies,” the website stated.
Already, several congressional figures—including Senator Cynthia Lummis, Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Ritchie Torres, Rep. Glenn Ivey, and Senator Ron Wyden— receive crypto donations through Base. Notably, all of them have been strong advocates for the crypto industry during the past year.
Read more: How To Donate Crypto Using The Giving Block
Pollak urged Base users to encourage their local representatives to join the platform, aligning with Base’s broader goal of bringing more people into the on-chain ecosystem. He added that more congressional candidates and current members could still register.
“Onboarded 3 current or potential congresspeople to accept onchain donations on base this week. Slowly but surely, everyone will come onchain,” Pollak stated.
As Base simplifies crypto donations for political candidates, more crypto-friendly contenders are likely to follow. The cryptocurrency sector has become a key financial contributor in political campaigns, accounting for over half of corporate donations in the 2024 elections.
Read more: What is Base Chain? Everything You Need to Know
However, the crypto community remains divided over the presidential race. Some support Donald Trump, who has been vocal in favor of the industry, while others lean toward Kamala Harris, despite her not having publicly stated a position on crypto.
Nevertheless, Harris’s campaign has engaged with crypto firms, and Future Forward, a PAC supporting her, recently announced it would accept cryptocurrency donations.
