Coinbase-Linked Advocacy Group Backs Candidates for US Midterms

Stand With Crypto, the pro-crypto advocacy group launched by Coinbase in 2023, has endorsed 32 candidates for the 2026 US House elections, positioning the slate as part of a broader campaign to influence federal digital-asset policy ahead of the midterms.

In a notice released on Monday, the organization said its endorsements target lawmakers it describes as “proven digital asset policy champions,” with an emphasis on competitive districts where it believes its influence can most directly affect outcomes. Stand With Crypto also framed crypto voters as an increasingly dependable voting bloc during close races.

Key takeaways

• Stand With Crypto is backing 32 House candidates for the 2026 midterms based on their digital asset policy positions.
• The group says it will focus resources on winnable, competitive races where its advocacy is most likely to sway results.
• Stand With Crypto executive director Mason Lynaugh argues crypto voters could “swing” congressional outcomes as candidates look beyond traditional constituencies.
• The endorsements arrive amid uncertainty over whether the Senate will advance the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act before the 2026 election.
• Recent political momentum around CLARITY includes calls from President Donald Trump to pass a “fair version,” though questions about conflicts remain in public polling.

A targeted endorsement slate for the 2026 midterms

According to Stand With Crypto, the 32-candidate program is designed to increase pressure on Washington to adopt clearer rules for digital assets. The organization’s framing suggests that endorsements are not simply symbolic, but strategically selected to shape outcomes during the 2026 House elections.

Stand With Crypto executive director Mason Lynaugh said crypto voters are now “durable” and motivated enough to matter in national politics. In his remarks, he linked the group’s push to what he described as a policy “inflection point” for digital assets in Washington—arguing that candidates from both parties may miss an important constituency if they do not engage crypto voters.

The notice also referenced how the advocacy strategy has evolved. Earlier coverage from the period surrounding its debut program noted that Stand With Crypto launched its first wave of endorsements in March. That initial slate included six candidates—three Republicans and three Democrats—each of whom advanced through their primaries to compete in November.

Crypto’s growing role in election spending and lobbying

The political emphasis on digital assets is occurring alongside rising involvement from crypto-related political spending. During the 2024 election cycle, organizations and political action committees backed by crypto companies spent more than $170 million supporting candidates they believed would be favorable to the industry, many of whom won their races, according to the organization’s statement.

Stand With Crypto also claimed that more than 270 “pro-crypto” candidates were sent to Congress in 2025, positioning its endorsement program as part of a continuing effort to shape legislative outcomes on matters affecting the sector. One example highlighted in its notice was the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act.

For investors and market participants, the practical impact of these political efforts typically lies in how Congress responds to key regulatory questions—especially those tied to stablecoins and market structure. Even when bills move slowly, endorsement drives and campaign messaging can influence negotiations, committee priorities, and the willingness of lawmakers to take up complex rulemakings.

CLARITY’s timeline and the Senate’s decision window

Beyond election endorsements, one of the most immediate legislative uncertainties involves the fate of the Digital Asset Market Clarity (CLARITY) Act. The House passed CLARITY in July 2025 with bipartisan support, but the Senate has not advanced it in the same way. The remaining hurdles have included debate tied to ethics considerations as well as questions associated with tokenization and stablecoin rewards.

According to reporting referenced in the notice, CLARITY is expected to face a cloture motion once the Senate returns from recess on Sept. 15. However, the Senate’s calendar appears tight: the chamber would have only 14 days in session before it breaks ahead of the November election.

After the midterms, the Senate is expected to have another 22 days before 2027—creating a later opportunity for senators to return the bill to the House if additional steps are needed. If that pathway holds, CLARITY could still progress to the president for approval, but the timing remains uncertain as the election approaches.

That sequencing matters. For market participants, “delay risk” can translate into continued regulatory ambiguity—especially in areas where exchanges, custody providers, and other intermediaries want clearer rules on how digital assets fit into existing securities and commodities frameworks.

Trump’s call for a “fair version” and questions over conflicts

In the lead-up to the Senate’s next procedural phase, political attention has also focused on statements by President Donald Trump. Stand With Crypto’s broader context included references to Trump urging the Senate to pass a “fair version” of CLARITY alongside crypto industry executives.

Yet, concerns about conflicts can complicate the political environment around the bill. The notice pointed to a poll finding that a majority of Americans said Trump’s crypto investments were not “appropriate.” While public opinion does not determine legislative outcomes by itself, it can influence how senators weigh ethics arguments and how lawmakers respond to pressure from both supporters and critics.

For readers watching CLARITY, the key question remains whether the Senate can align its procedural path—including any amendments or debate around tokenization and stablecoin rewards—within the brief pre-election window. If senators do not move quickly, the legislative timetable may effectively shift the decision toward the post-midterm period.

As the 2026 campaign cycle ramps up, Stand With Crypto’s endorsements will likely serve as one signal of where the pro-crypto policy push is concentrating its political leverage. The most important thing to watch next is whether the Senate can progress CLARITY before the election, or whether the bill’s fate is deferred into the longer 2027 timeline—leaving market participants to navigate continued regulatory uncertainty.