The anticipated presidential nominees of the United States may discuss digital assets during an unprecedented debate.
Scheduled for June 27 at 9:00 pm ET in CNN’s Atlanta studios, incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are slated to meet, bypassing traditional debate commission channels. Although neither has formally accepted their party’s nomination, both are polling strongly as likely candidates for the 2024 election.
Speculation mounts among crypto enthusiasts that digital assets will feature prominently. Moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash may raise the topic, or it could be introduced spontaneously by either candidate, albeit under rules requiring muted microphones except when speaking.
Trump, having advocated pro-crypto policies, notably shifted his stance since his 2020 debate with Biden, now accepting campaign contributions in digital assets and promoting U.S.-mined Bitcoin. This represents a significant pivot from his previous criticisms of cryptocurrencies as lacking intrinsic value.
Conversely, President Biden, who nominated Gary Gensler to head the SEC, has pursued regulatory frameworks for crypto, criticized its environmental impact, and vetoed attempts to overturn SEC rules affecting banks.
The debate’s potential to highlight crypto’s significance is noted by Diogo Mónica of Anchorage Digital, reflecting a growing electoral interest among millennials and Gen Z.
As election day approaches on Nov. 5, Trump faces legal challenges that could impact his nomination at the Republican National Convention. The debate, lasting 90 minutes without a studio audience, offers a pivotal platform for discussing issues like digital assets that could sway crucial voter demographics.
Magazine: Crypto voters are already influencing the 2024 election and are expected to continue shaping its course.