The cryptocurrency industry is ramping up its political engagement ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with the latest move coming from major players Anchorage Digital and Chainlink Labs. The two firms have jointly funded a new political action committee (PAC) called the Blockchain Leadership Fund, designed to provide campaign contributions to candidates who support digital asset and blockchain-friendly policies.
First-Time PAC Involvement for Anchorage Digital
This marks the first time Anchorage Digital has participated in PAC funding. The Blockchain Leadership Fund will focus on candidates who advocate for favorable legislation around digital assets, promote blockchain innovation, and enhance voter education on cryptocurrencies. Chainlink Labs, a leading oracle network provider, joins the effort, signaling a shift from pure technological development to active political lobbying amid growing regulatory complexity.
Despite the industry's proactive stance, legislative progress on crypto in the U.S. Congress remains stalled. Key disagreements between the Senate Banking Committee and the banking sector over stablecoin regulation have prevented meaningful progress. Many observers believe the 2026 midterms could be a pivotal moment to break the deadlock, prompting multiple stakeholders to increase political engagement.
Stand With Crypto Launches Lawmaker Scoring System
Alongside the new PAC, advocacy group Stand With Crypto has unveiled a scoring system that rates federal lawmakers based on their voting records, public statements, and policy positions on digital assets. The system aims to provide transparency for voters and help the organization allocate resources — including advertising, grassroots mobilization, and direct donations — more effectively in the upcoming election cycle.
“We’re creating clear accountability so every crypto user knows who in Washington truly supports innovation,” said a Stand With Crypto spokesperson. The scoring covers all members of the House and Senate, with ratings ranging from “strongly supportive” to “strongly opposed,” and will be updated periodically.
Surge in Political Spending by Crypto Industry
The overall political spending by the crypto sector has already surged dramatically. According to non-profit OpenSecrets, crypto-related PACs and direct lobbying expenditures exceeded $130 million during the 2024 election cycle, making the industry a notable new source of political funding. The joint initiative by Anchorage Digital and Chainlink underscores a growing trend among top firms to move beyond defensive compliance toward actively shaping policy.
Beyond the Blockchain Leadership Fund, other initiatives are also gaining traction. Coinbase-backed Stand With Crypto has amassed hundreds of thousands of supporters, and its scoring system initially covers all 535 members of Congress. The group plans to further expand its influence ahead of 2026. Analysts say the industry is building a three-pronged political strategy: donation PACs, voter education, and lawmaker scorecards.
Outlook and Challenges
Despite the intensifying political efforts, regulatory uncertainties persist. The jurisdictional dispute between the SEC and CFTC remains unresolved, and stablecoin legislation continues to face bipartisan divides in Congress. However, the crypto community’s lobbying has already shown results: several anti-crypto incumbents lost their primaries in recent cycles, while pro-crypto candidates received substantial financial backing.
The Anchorage Digital–Chainlink PAC and the Stand With Crypto scoring system represent a new level of sophistication in crypto political engagement. Over the next 18 months, Washington’s regulatory winds may shift subtly as grassroots and capital forces converge.