- Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris pledged to support investments in AI and digital assets, emphasizing the need for a safe business environment with clear regulations.
- While some praised Harris's recognition of digital asset innovation, others criticized her for not taking action sooner, calling her statements vague and overdue.
Kamala Harris, the Democrats' 2024 presidential candidate, had kept quiet about her views on digital assets—until now. However, speaking at a Wall Street fundraiser, Harris finally addressed the issue, pledging to support investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital assets as part of her campaign for the presidency.
According to a Bloomberg report, Harris said at a fundraiser in Manhattan:
“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,”
Harris also stated they would create a safe business environment with consistent and transparent regulations. She added that they plan to invest in semiconductors, clean energy, and other future industries while cutting unnecessary bureaucracy.
This is the first time Harris has spoken publicly about crypto since becoming the Democratic presidential frontrunner. Her Republican rival, Donald Trump, is also courting the industry.
The crypto community, however, had mixed reactions. Coinbase policy chief Faryar Shirzad called Vice President Kamala Harris’s statement “important and constructive,” though he noted it wasn’t as bold as the positions taken by Donald Trump. He acknowledged Harris’s recognition of digital asset innovation as significant, alongside AI.
However, Shirzad's comments sparked criticism from others, with one user pointing out that Harris, being part of the current administration, had ample time to take more concrete action. Another frustrated commenter dismissed her statement as meaningless, arguing she could have acted earlier when the industry was calling for support, calling her response a display of "intellectual dishonesty."
Edited by Harshajit Sarmah