Kamala Harris ‘backs crypto and AI investment’ as she breaks silence on stance

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken publicly about crypto for the first time, pledging support for the industry while stressing consumer protections during her presidential campaign.

During a Wall Street fundraiser on Sunday (Sep, 22), Harris pledged to promote investment in artificial intelligence and digital assets.

Cited by Bloomberg, Harris told a fundraiser in Manhattan: “We will partner together to invest in America’s competitiveness, to invest in America’s future. We will encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors.”

She added: “We will create a safe business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road.”

The policy is part of what she has billed as an agenda for an “opportunity economy,” in which she hopes to create a “safe business environment with consistent and transparent rules of the road.”

At the beginning of the month, crypto industry leaders were planning a fundraiser to raise $100,000 for Harris’ campaign with hopes of influencing her stance on cryptocurrency, despite her not directly accepting crypto donations.

Harris’ comments mark the first time she has addressed cryptocurrencies as the Democratic presidential nominee, while her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has also sought backing from the crypto industry.

The industry has been speculating whether Harris would adopt a different stance on digital assets compared to President Joe Biden, who has been perceived by some as unfriendly to the sector.

Alexander Grieve, vice president of government affairs at venture firm Paradigm, described Harris’ comments as “encouraging” in a post on X. He added that, regardless of the outcome in November, “this should be the last anti-crypto administration.”

This is encouraging. Regardless of outcome in November, this should be the last anti-crypto administration.

The Trump approach will be different than the Harris approach, and staffing plays a big role in both cases. But the direction of travel for crypto in the US is clear