See More

Crypto Political Funding at Risk of Drying Up Without SBF and FTX Donations

2 mins
Updated by Kyle Baird
Join our Trading Community on Telegram

In Brief

  • SBF and FTX executives has spent $70 million this cycle.
  • Donations have mostly gone to pro-crypto candidates.
  • Lobbying and funding for the sector may dry up.
  • promo

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was one of the largest political donors in the United States. His once deep pockets funded mostly Democrat candidates and campaigns, but that all may change now.

The landscape of pro-crypto candidate funding in the U.S. may be about to change without its biggest donor.

SBF and FTX executives have donated more than $70 million to political campaigns during the 2021/2022 U.S. election cycle. The man himself has spent close to $40 million, according to Open Secrets.

Without this flow of funds, pro-crypto Democratic candidates could be cut off, according to a Financial Times report on Nov. 13. The collapse of SBF’s crypto business empire is likely to have an impact on the crypto funding scene, and not for the better.

SBF: Big Bucks to Political Allies

SBF was second only to billionaire George Soros for Democrat political funding. He ranked sixth overall. The second through fifth-largest donors all favored Republicans.

Earlier this year, he said that he would spend up to $1 billion to help influence the 2024 presidential election campaigns, but he has since backed down.

SBF also backs the Protect Our Future political action committee (PAC). The organization was set up in January 2022 and has spent more than $27 million in Democrat candidate support. The PAC endorsed 25 Democrats in congressional races in the current cycle. Furthermore, 18 of them have won their respective races, the report added.

As such, SBF became one of the most prominent crypto representatives in Washington, supporting regulations and legislation.

Nevertheless, many lobbyists and donors suspected SBF’s donations were made in self-interest.  

During this cycle, SBF has donated to rightwing PACS Alabama Conservatives Fund and Heartland Resurgence. Senators John Boozman and Debbie Stabenow have pledged to continue supporting the Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act, which SBF campaigned for.

FTX has also backed the GMI PAC, which donated $5.8 million to the web3 Forward PAC, a pro-crypto committee.

Concern Over Clawbacks

The FT reported that there is growing concern over clawbacks should U.S. financial regulators intervene. The SEC has wasted no time in investigating FTX over its lending activities and management of customer funds.

Legal experts argued that even if the funds were linked to ill-gotten gains, there would be no legal basis for clawbacks.

One thing that is likely to occur, though, is a major regulatory clampdown in the U.S. The result could be that crypto exchanges will be treated like banks. Users would face all the restrictions and surveillance that come with using a bank account.

The lack of clarity in America caused traders to flock to an unregulated offshore exchange, commented some industry experts.

Top crypto platforms in the US | March 2024
Coinbase Coinbase Explore →
AlgosOne AlgosOne Explore →
Chain GPT Chain GPT Explore →
iTrustCapital iTrustCapital Explore →

Trusted

Disclaimer

In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.

profile.jpg
Martin Young
Martin Young is a seasoned cryptocurrency journalist and editor with over 7 years of experience covering the latest news and trends in the digital asset space. He is passionate about making complex blockchain, fintech, and macroeconomics concepts understandable for mainstream audiences.   Martin has been featured in top finance, technology, and crypto publications including BeInCrypto, CoinTelegraph, NewsBTC, FX Empire, and Asia Times. His articles provide an in-depth analysis of...
READ FULL BIO
Sponsored
Sponsored