Artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency groups are rapidly becoming major financial forces in U.S. politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. But a new poll highlighted by Politico suggests that while these industries are spending heavily to shape outcomes, many voters remain deeply uneasy about the technologies behind the money.
More Than $100 Million Flows Into Midterm Politics
According to the report, the pro-AI super PAC Leading the Future has raised more than $75 million since launching and has spent through affiliated PAC networks in primaries across North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and New York. On the crypto side, Fairshake, backed mainly by Coinbase, Andreessen Horowitz, and Ripple Labs, has spent $28 million in competitive primary races. Together, the two industry blocs have deployed more than $100 million in political spending.
The effort extends beyond campaign ads. Both sectors are also increasing lobbying activity in Washington to secure favorable federal rules after Election Day. Politico noted that OpenAI and Anthropic posted record lobbying spending in the first quarter of 2026, while the crypto industry continues pressing for a broad digital asset framework, including the proposed CLARITY Act, which is awaiting action in the Senate.
Poll Finds Broad Distrust of Both Industries
The survey found that 45% of Americans believe crypto investing is not worth the risk even if returns could be high. Nearly half said they trust traditional banks more than crypto platforms for holding money, while only 17% said the opposite. More than half of respondents also said they have never bought and would not consider buying or trading cryptocurrency.
Concerns around AI were also significant. The poll showed 44% of Americans think AI is developing too quickly, while 43% said its risks outweigh its benefits. Nearly half believe the technology is more likely to eliminate jobs than create them. At the same time, about two-thirds of respondents favor stricter regulation or at least broad rules for the AI sector.
Political Spending May Not Translate Into Voter Support
Politico reported that in hypothetical matchups, respondents were less likely to support candidates backed by groups pushing looser AI regulation. Instead, voters preferred candidates supported by organizations calling for tighter oversight of AI and tech companies. That suggests massive spending from Silicon Valley and crypto-aligned groups may not automatically convert into political goodwill and could even trigger voter backlash.
The skepticism also crosses party lines. Majorities of both Trump and Harris voters said crypto investing is not a risk worth taking. On AI, 49% of Harris voters and 46% of Trump voters said the technology is moving too fast. The findings point to a widening gap between the political ambitions of well-funded AI and crypto interests and the caution of ordinary voters.
The poll was conducted online by Public First from April 11 to April 14 among 2,035 U.S. adults. Results were weighted by age, race, gender, geography, and education, with an overall margin of error of ±2.2 percentage points.