Chris Larsen, Ripple co-founder, donated $1 million to a pro-Kamala Harris super PAC in August.
Ripple co-founder and executive chairman Chris Larsen donated 1,754,825.29 XRP, amounting to $1 million at the time of contribution, to Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Larsen made the contribution on August 14, 2024, to the Future Forward USA super political action committee (PAC).
Eleanor Terrett, Fox Business journalist, took to X to mention this was the first crypto donation received by the Harris-Walz 2024 presidential campaign. “@Ripple co-founder @chrislarsensf has made the first documented #crypto donation to @KamalaHarris.” The Future Forward USA super PAC has so far collected $200 million in donations.
Larsen, alongside a group of 88 corporate leaders, including 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch and Snap chairman Michael Lynton, endorsed Harris in a letter last month. “With Kamala Harris in the White House, the business community can be confident that it will have a President who wants American industries to thrive,” the letter read.
It added, “She will continue to advance fair and predictable policies that support the rule of law, stability, and a sound business environment, and she will strive to give every American the opportunity to pursue the American dream.”
September also saw a group of crypto executives and advocates rally behind Harris by announcing that they were raising $100,000 to support her campaign and make an impact in influencing her to create favorable crypto policy. The reason behind such efforts is strategic—the Democratic party has thus far viewed the digital asset industry unfairly. Showing support could motivate the administration, if Harris gets elected, to make laws that consider crypto innovation, unlike the current Biden-led administration.
Harris Breaks Silence About Crypto
After much anticipation, Harris broke her silence about the industry in late September, saying, “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.”
Industry participants remain skeptical, however. The statement Harris issued was pulled straight from what Biden issued in May 2024. He then vetoed the bipartisan decision to end Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)-121, which frustrated the US crypto ecosystem.
Harris has a 45% chance of winning the Presidential election slated for November 5 on Polymarket at the time of writing. Donald Trump leads with odds of 54.6%.
