Stand With Crypto Unveils First Senate Endorsements Ahead of Midterms

Crypto group targets Senate and House races

Stand With Crypto, an advocacy group launched by Coinbase in 2023, has announced its first set of endorsements for Senate races alongside new House picks. The announcement comes about a month before the November midterm elections and two weeks after the Clarity Act failed to pass in the Senate.

The group stated it evaluates candidates based on their cryptocurrency policy positions regardless of their political party. This move marks a shift toward direct electoral engagement as the organization ramps up advertising efforts in six House districts.

Key endorsements and strategy

• The group is backing Republican Senator Jon Husted in Ohio against former Banking Committee Chair Sherrod Brown.
• In Iowa, it supports Republican Representative Ashley Hinson, who is running for a Senate seat.
• In New Hampshire, the group endorses Democratic Representative Chris Pappas against former Senator John Sununu.
• On the House side, endorsements include Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Alabama Democrat Shomari Figures.
• This follows an August endorsement of 32 House incumbents described as "proven digital asset policy champions."

Response to legislative setbacks

The timing of these endorsements follows the collapse of the Clarity Act, which failed to advance in the Senate with a 49-50 vote. Democrats voted together during the roll call, citing concerns over President Donald Trump's crypto dealings. Stand With Crypto characterized this defeat as a turning point, warning that votes against the bill would be recorded on a public scorecard used to judge lawmakers at the ballot box.

Political spending context

While Stand With Crypto does not make direct campaign contributions like a super PAC, it focuses on voter mobilization and grading candidates through its Voter Hub. Candidates rated highly by the group often receive funding from industry-aligned PACs. For instance, the Fairshake super PAC recently began a $30 million spending campaign against Senator Brown. Total crypto-aligned political spending has reached approximately $200 million for the 2026 election cycle.

Why the Ohio race is critical

Executive Director Mason Lynaugh noted that the group's three million advocates are now focused on electing pro-crypto candidates. The endorsement of Jon Husted highlights the high stakes in Ohio. If incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown returns to office, he would regain a powerful role on the Senate Banking Committee as a known skeptic of the industry. This race serves as a test of whether the crypto industry's political efforts can influence election outcomes.

Next steps for the sector

With legislation stalled in Congress, the advocacy group indicates that the focus has shifted to the campaign trail. The group plans to continue its advertising push in the targeted House races leading up to the November elections.

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