United States Vice President Kamala Harris mentioned blockchain in a public speech on Wednesday, marking her first public comment on the technology. Harris vowed that, if elected President in November, the U.S. would recommit to leading industries such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and other fast-growing tech sectors.
VP Kamala Harris Courts Crypto Voters, Promises Blockchain Leadership
During a speech at The Economic Club of Pittsburgh, Democratic presidential frontrunner Kamala Harris assured the audience that her administration would prioritize maintaining America’s leadership in key technology sectors, including blockchain.
“We will invest in biomanufacturing, aerospace, remain dominant in AI, quantum computing, blockchain, and other emerging technologies. We will also expand our lead in clean energy innovation and manufacturing,” Harris declared in Pennsylvania on September 25.
She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the next generation of innovations, from advanced batteries to nuclear energy, are developed and built in America by American workers.
Harris also underscored the need for America to win the global competition in these industries, with a specific focus on outpacing China. Her remarks come after she briefly mentioned her intention to support AI and digital assets during a fundraising event, though she has yet to outline a comprehensive crypto policy.
Trump vs. Harris: Impact on Crypto Markets
Political analysts are divided on how a Harris presidency might affect the cryptocurrency landscape. Some have speculated that her administration could maintain or even escalate President Biden’s crypto-antagonistic stance, while others predict a shift towards innovation-friendly policies.
Meanwhile, her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, has embraced cryptocurrency, even unveiling his own decentralized finance (DeFi) platform. Trump has vowed to make the U.S. the global leader in crypto, signaling a more deregulatory approach to the industry.
Market analysts offer mixed predictions regarding the potential impact of the election on cryptocurrencies. Bernstein analysts recently predicted that a Trump victory could propel Bitcoin to $90,000 by the end of 2024, whereas a Harris win might see Bitcoin dip as low as $30,000.
However, VanEck analysts argue that Harris could ultimately boost Bitcoin adoption by accelerating the structural factors driving demand for digital assets.
