Key Highlights
- Stand With Crypto endorsed candidates after the U.S. Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act.
- The organization plans to increase advertising in six House races, including North Carolina Democrat Don Davis’s race.
- Stand With Crypto’s endorsed candidates are divided roughly equally between Democrats and Republicans.
Stand With Crypto Shifts Focus to Pro-Crypto Candidates
Stand With Crypto has named its preferred candidates just weeks after the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, a closely watched crypto market structure bill. The organization said its endorsement strategy would focus on electing lawmakers who support clearer rules for digital assets and Web3 innovation.
The Senate vote fell short of the 60 votes required to advance the legislation. The CLARITY Act received 49 votes in favor, despite being described as crypto’s marquee legislation of the year. Several Democratic senators voted against the bill after negotiations that included multiple concessions from Republican senators.
“Following the Senate’s recent failure to advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act, Stand With Crypto’s more than three million advocates are shifting their energy and focus fully to ensuring we have pro-crypto champions in office who will carry forward our fight for clear rules of the road,” said Mason Lynaugh, executive director of Stand With Crypto, in a statement.
Organization Targets Six House Races
Stand With Crypto also said it would increase its advertising spending in six U.S. House races. The targeted contests include the race involving North Carolina Democratic Rep. Don Davis. The organization said every candidate included in its latest House endorsements had voted for the CLARITY Act when the bill passed the House last year.
The group’s broader endorsed candidate pool is split roughly evenly between Democrats and Republicans. Stand With Crypto backed dozens of sitting Democratic House members who supported the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, known as FIT21, as well as the CLARITY Act, despite voting across party lines on the legislation.
Incumbent lawmakers who have taken public positions on digital assets and Web3 innovation have also received the organization’s support. Stand With Crypto said those positions could be expressed through committee hearings, press releases or media statements.
Why This Matters
The endorsements show Stand With Crypto is directing its political activity toward congressional candidates after the Senate’s failure to advance the CLARITY Act. By supporting lawmakers from both major parties, the organization is emphasizing votes and public positions on crypto policy rather than party affiliation alone. Its planned advertising in six House races also signals a more targeted effort to influence the makeup of Congress around digital asset legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Stand With Crypto endorse candidates?
Stand With Crypto said it wants to support pro-crypto candidates who will pursue clearer rules for digital assets and continue its policy efforts after the Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act.
How did the CLARITY Act perform in the Senate?
The bill received 49 votes in favor, below the 60 votes needed to advance.
Are Stand With Crypto’s endorsements limited to one political party?
No. The organization said its endorsed candidates are split roughly equally between Democrats and Republicans. It also backed Democratic House members who supported FIT21 and the CLARITY Act.
