Coinbase appoints Democratic strategist David Plouffe to its global advisory council as crypto gains bipartisan momentum and drives fast-moving legislation in Congress.
Coinbase Expands Political Powerbase with David Plouffe Appointment
In a clear demonstration of its expanding political influence, Coinbase has added David Plouffe, a prominent Democratic strategist and former senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, to its global advisory council.
“David Plouffe (right) is joining the global advisory council of Coinbase, the nation’s largest crypto exchange.”
Plouffe, renowned as the mastermind behind Barack Obama’s 2008 victory, now joins a council already featuring several heavyweight figures, including former U.S. senators and President Donald Trump’s ex-campaign manager. His appointment comes at a time when the cryptocurrency industry is becoming a major force in shaping legislation on Capitol Hill.
Crypto Gains Ground Across Party Lines as New Voting Bloc Emerges
The bipartisan composition of Coinbase’s advisory team underscores how both political parties now regard crypto holders as an emerging swing voter base. With the 2024 elections marking a pivotal moment, the crypto sector emerged as one of the biggest spenders, pouring over $130 million into congressional races, with Coinbase standing out as the top contributor.
The results of these investments are already visible. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are advancing legislation that’s favourable to the digital asset sector, including new rules to govern stablecoins and market structure reforms.
Trump and Harris Camps Aligned on Crypto Voter Strategy
Chris Lacivita, who co-managed Trump’s 2024 campaign, also sits on Coinbase’s council. Speaking at a recent Coinbase policy conference in New York, Lacivita and Plouffe shared how their respective campaigns courted the so-called “crypto voters.”
“Congratulations to everyone at this exciting time for your industry and in our country’s life,” Trump said in a video address. “It’s a really big honor to be called the ‘first crypto president.’”
Plouffe echoed the sentiment, calling the crypto demographic “pretty politically competitive.”
“These are not MAGA voters. They are swing voters. Lean a little Democratic, certainly lean a lot younger,” he said.
Lacivita added, “It gave us an opportunity to establish common ground with an area and a demographic that we need to expand in in order to be successful. This was one of those just great growth opportunities in politics, which are few and far between.”
Coinbase Poised to Influence Washington as Legislation Accelerates
Coinbase chief policy officer Faryar Shirzad explained that the advisory council is designed to serve as a sounding board for policy discussions and business strategy.
Plouffe, who previously advised Binance, now joins former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema, among others, in shaping Coinbase’s long-term influence in Washington.
On the Hill, lawmakers are moving with unusual speed. This week, a group of Democrats joined Republicans to advance stablecoin regulations, with Senate passage expected soon. Meanwhile, broader cryptocurrency market legislation is already progressing through House committees, reflecting the intensifying lobbying effort by the crypto industry.
With the potential to transform retirement investing — as Trump’s administration reversed Biden-era crypto restrictions for 401(k) plans — and the Trump family itself embracing crypto ventures, the intersection of politics and digital assets is deeper than ever.
As legislation advances and bipartisan alliances deepen, the crypto industry’s growing political might appears to be no passing trend — but a recalibration of American power in the digital age.
