Diverse Crypto Leaders Request Meeting with Harris for Policy Discussion

A group of diverse crypto industry leaders is seeking a meeting this month with Vice President Kamala Harris and Tim Walz’s campaign policy team to discuss important policy recommendations aimed at fostering innovation and inclusion in the crypto space.

In a letter sent to the campaign policy team on Tuesday, notable signatories including Cleve Mesidor, founder of the National Policy Network WOC Blockchain, Olayinka Odeniran, founder of the Black Women Blockchain Council, and Tonya Evans, a professor at Penn State Dickinson Law, urged for a regulatory framework for Web3 and DeFi that promotes innovation in the U.S. More than 20 individuals endorsed this letter.

“Our group of diverse Web3 & DeFi industry leaders write to request a meeting with the HarrisWalz campaign policy team in October 2024 to discuss the importance of a policy and regulatory framework for Web3 and DeFi that fosters innovation here in America,” the letter stated.

The signatories emphasized the necessity for government policies to balance consumer protection with measures aimed at stimulating financial inclusion and capital formation.

As crypto increasingly becomes a contentious electoral issue, recent comments from Democratic presidential candidate Harris indicated support for innovative technologies like AI and digital assets, while maintaining a focus on consumer protection. Conversely, Republican candidate Donald Trump has promised to halt what he calls an “unlawful and un-American crackdown” on the U.S. crypto industry.

The letter also pointed out that current policies disproportionately benefit the wealthy, further distancing marginalized groups from access to digital assets.

“Black, Latino, AAPI, and indigenous communities were the earliest and continue to be the largest adopters of crypto. Since the inception of this sector in 2008 and 2009, diverse innovators have played a significant role in this emerging industry,” they remarked. “We want a seat at the policy table and a say in the regulatory debate.”

Specifically, the letter requested enhanced capital access for diverse Web3 startups and entrepreneurs, proposed the establishment of an ‘SBA Emerging Technologies & Digital Equity Loan program,’ and urged for increased financial education on digital assets, with support from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for funding.