The crypto industry’s political arm just verified its ammunition for the next election cycle. Fairshake, the super PAC responsible for ousting anti-crypto incumbents in 2024, announced Wednesday it holds $193 million in cash on hand to influence the 2026 U.S. midterms.
The disclosure, confirmed by spokesperson Josh Vlasto, signals that the sector’s aggressive political spending was not a one-off event. The war chest includes fresh capital injections from the industry’s heaviest hitters: Coinbase ($25 million), Ripple ($25 million), and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) ($24 million).
“We are united behind our mission with Fairshake continuing to oppose anti-crypto politicians and support pro-crypto leaders.”, Josh Vlasto, Fairshake Spokesperson
Market Reaction
Price action remained muted despite the display of political force. XRP held steady at $1.91 (+1%), showing little immediate correlation to Ripple’s political expenditure. Coinbase (COIN) shares traded near $210, down 7% on the week amidst broader tech sector volatility.
The Institutional Strategy
This fundraising haul eclipses the reserves of many traditional Washington lobbies. After deploying over $130 million in the 2024 cycle to secure a more favorable Congress, Fairshake is now pivoting to defense and expansion. The strategy is clear: make opposition to digital asset innovation politically expensive.
By securing nine-figure commitments two years ahead of the midterms, the PAC forces vulnerable lawmakers to calculate the risk of an industry-funded primary challenge now, rather than later.
