Kamala Harris has made her first public statement about her U.S. presidential campaign, highlighting plans to support innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets. At a Wall Street fundraiser in Manhattan on September 22, Harris said, “We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors.”
This marks the first time Harris has directly addressed cryptocurrency during her campaign. Her comments come as the industry waits to see if she will adopt a different stance than President Joe Biden, who has been seen as less favorable to crypto.
Harris emphasized her focus on creating a safe business environment with clear regulations, investing in technologies like semiconductors and clean energy, and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy.
While some in the crypto space welcomed Harris’ remarks, others want more detailed policies. Coinbase’s policy chief Faryar Shirzad called her comments “important” but said they were less bold than Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance.
Trump, Harris’ Republican rival, has actively promoted his support for crypto, including launching NFT collections and promising to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler.
As of now, Harris’s chances of winning the election stand at 52%, compared to Trump’s 47%, according to Polymarket data. The upcoming months will be crucial for both candidates as they outline their visions for the future of technology and finance.
