Biden Presidential Campaign Is Seeking Help From A Coinbase Member In The 2024 Race

Key Points:

• Keisha Lance Bottoms joins Biden presidential campaign as a senior adviser, staying on Coinbase’s advisory council.
• Both Biden and Trump campaigns consider accepting cryptocurrency donations.
• Political stances on cryptocurrency shift, with Trump now pro-crypto and some Democrats also showing support.

The Biden presidential campaign has appointed former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms as a senior adviser for the 2024 election, according to The Hill. Despite this new role, Bottoms will remain on the global advisory council of Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency exchange.

Keisha Lance Bottoms Joins Biden Campaign and Stays with Coinbase

Bottoms, who served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022, joined Coinbase’s advisory board in April 2024 after stepping down as a White House adviser in 2023. Known for her advocacy, Bottoms highlighted the importance of cryptocurrency in promoting financial freedom for unbanked communities at the Stand With Crypto Atlanta event.

Coinbase, the largest U.S. crypto exchange, has been active in lobbying efforts, spending nearly $2.9 million last year on issues including digital asset regulation and the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT 21). This significant legislation was passed by the House last month, despite opposition from SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

In a statement to The Hill, Bottoms emphasized her commitment to addressing systemic issues affecting communities of color, who are often unbanked or underbanked. However, both Bottoms and Coinbase declined to comment on her compensation, and the Biden presidential campaign did not clarify whether it would pay her.

Bottoms headlined a Stand With Crypto event in Atlanta the same day her advisory role with the Biden campaign was announced. This nonprofit organization, launched by Coinbase last August, advocates for clear regulations in the crypto industry.

Shifting Political Views on Cryptocurrency

The Biden presidential campaign is reportedly considering accepting cryptocurrency donations through Coinbase Commerce, aiming to attract young, crypto-savvy voters. This move mirrors the Trump campaign, which already accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

In the current political climate, cryptocurrency has emerged as a significant issue. Republican candidate Donald Trump, once a critic, now supports Bitcoin and other digital currencies, while some Democrats, traditionally more cautious, are adopting more favorable stances on crypto regulation.