Kraken’s $2M Power Play: Crypto Exchange Backs Pro-Trump PACs in 2025 Political Gambit

Kraken drops $2 million bomb on political landscape

The crypto giant just rewrote the political playbook—cutting checks while traditional finance scrambles to understand blockchain's growing influence.

Digital assets meet political assets

Kraken's move signals crypto's arrival as a legitimate political force. No longer content with disrupting financial systems, the industry now targets electoral ones—bypassing traditional fundraising channels that once dictated policy.

The $2 million question

This isn't pocket change—it's strategic positioning. While Wall Street still debates crypto regulation, Kraken just bought a seat at the table. The exchange proves digital assets aren't just about technology—they're about power.

Finance traditionalists might call it reckless—but when has crypto ever played by their rules? Sometimes the best investment isn't in assets—it's in influence.

Kraken Pours Millions Into U.S. Politics to Defend Crypto Freedom

Kraken is ramping up its political spending in Washington, positioning itself as a leading defender of crypto freedoms at a pivotal moment for the industry.

Chief Strategy Officer Sethi framed the exchange’s donations as a fight to preserve digital rights, stressing that the MOVE is not partisan but aimed at protecting Americans’ ability to self-custody assets, transact outside surveillance-heavy systems, and develop decentralized infrastructure without state interference.

Sethi also tied the debate to the origins of Bitcoin, calling the 2008 whitepaper a philosophical response to centralized control of financial systems. He argued that crypto embodies rights to privacy and self-determination, aligning closely with American constitutional values.

According to Sethi, today’s policy decisions will determine whether the U.S. leads the next era of finance or cedes ground internationally.

Interestingly, these donations by Kraken come after crypto PACs proved influential in the 2024 election cycle. Fairshake and its affiliates raised more than $245 million to back nearly 300 pro-crypto lawmakers, contributing to what observers described as the most crypto-friendly Congress in U.S. history.

Cryptocurrency-related Political Action Committees (PACs) and affiliated groups poured over $245 million into the 2024 election cycle. #Trump #Electionhttps://t.co/GnFtA4wbUy

As a result, Fairshake PAC spent heavily to influence recent elections, aiding candidates in Arizona, Michigan, and West Virginia while helping unseat Rep. Katie Porter in California. These outcomes highlighted how crypto-funded PACs are reshaping electoral outcomes in both major parties.

Similarly, in Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno won his Senate race against incumbent Sherrod Brown with about $40 million in backing from pro-crypto groups.

Notably, the Fairshake PAC has secured $78 million for the 2026 midterms and is funded by major crypto figures like Chris Larsen, the Winklevoss twins, and Jesse Powell.

Other Crypto Exchanges Influence Election Through Donations

Other exchanges and industry leaders have also made significant political investments. Coinbase committed $25 million to Fairshake to boost pro-crypto candidates ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Ripple Labs and Andreessen Horowitz are among the largest backers of the PAC network. The Winklevoss twins donated a combined $4.9 million, while payments company MoonPay gave $1 million to the Stand With Crypto PAC.

Ripple announced a second $25m donation to the crypto super Political Action Committee (PAC) Fairshake on Wednesday. This contribution supplements the $25m it provided to Fairshake last year.#Fairshake #cryptosuperpachttps://t.co/f5Rn49mDTs

These donations illustrate how the crypto industry has shifted from reactive lobbying to proactive political engagement, channeling funds through PACs to influence legislative agendas and regulatory oversight. This may be the reason for positive regulatory insights in the U.S.

Congress has advanced several bills to establish clearer rules for digital asset markets; these include the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act, among others.

Meanwhile, federal agencies continue to pursue enforcement actions against exchanges and restrict privacy tools. This dual approach has created uncertainty for the sector, prompting companies like Kraken to step up their political involvement.