Majority of U.S. Voters Support Cryptocurrency and AI in 2024 Election, Survey Finds

Grayscale Investments, in partnership with The Harris Poll, found that 71% of expected voters in the U.S. believe political leaders should support cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.

This September study looked at how people feel about crypto, AI, and investing. It also explored how these topics might influence voter decisions in the upcoming 2024 election.

As the election nears, 56% of likely voters prefer candidates who understand cryptocurrency. That’s a 3% increase since May and an 8% rise since December. Voters see emerging technologies like crypto and AI as key to future financial success.

Interestingly, 40% of voters consider candidates' views on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies when making their choices. This is up from 34% in December 2023.

The research also noted that more Americans expect to own cryptocurrency in the future compared to last year. This trend is especially strong among older adults. The rise of Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds) has made it easier for institutional investors to access Bitcoin.

“Almost a third (30%) of voters said that the approval of Bitcoin ETFs made them more interested in investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Additionally, 46% of voters expect to include crypto in their investment portfolios in the future, up from 40% last year,” the study highlighted.

Another significant finding is that cryptocurrency is becoming a nonpartisan issue in the U.S. Support is nearly equal among Republicans and Democrats. This shift is evident in the diverse demographics of crypto investors. For instance, 63% of Hispanic voters and 68% of Black voters are interested in investing in Bitcoin, compared to 35% of White voters. Currently, 30% of Hispanic voters and 31% of Black voters own Bitcoin, while only 13% of White voters do.

These insights align with recent research from Consensys, which found that half of U.S. voters support pro-crypto policies. The survey also revealed that 85% of crypto owners see cryptocurrency as a crucial voting issue, with 92% likely to vote.

Currently, Republicans are viewed as slightly more crypto-friendly, largely due to Donald Trump's active promotion of digital assets. He made headlines recently by buying burgers with Bitcoin and launching a DeFi venture, though the latter received a lukewarm response. Trump has also promised to fire Gary Gensler, a prominent critic of the crypto industry, if he wins the election.

On the Democratic side, support is growing from across party lines, with more warmth toward cryptocurrency. Kamala Harris, the party’s candidate, has begun accepting crypto donations and is committed to expanding the use of both crypto and AI in her presidential campaign.

The report highlights the growing significance of cryptocurrency in U.S. politics. According to Polymarket data, Kamala Harris currently leads in the polls at 50%, while Donald Trump follows closely at 49%. With just 34 days left until the election, the stakes are high.