Fellowship PAC is raising $100 million to influence the future of crypto regulation in Washington—a sum large enough to shift the balance of power in the policy fight. The group now joins the well-funded Fairshake PAC, which already holds $116 million for the 2026 election cycle. Together, they signal that digital assets are no longer lobbying at the margins; they are buying real influence to secure U.S. leadership in technology and financial markets.
Bipartisan Approach Expands Reach
Unlike traditional partisan committees, Fellowship PAC says it will support candidates in both parties—provided they align on crypto policy. That strategy broadens its reach and avoids the risks of backing just one political camp. The approach already proved effective in 2024, when crypto PACs supported dozens of winning candidates from both sides of the aisle, helping unseat sitting committee chairs and ushering in a Congress more open to digital assets.
Rising Expectations for Clear Rules
The Trump administration’s GENIUS Act, passed earlier this year, gave stablecoins their first national framework—raising expectations for more clarity ahead. Investors and companies now want lawmakers to extend that momentum into broader digital asset rules. The Fellowship PAC is positioning itself to back candidates who support measures like the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, which is still moving through Congress and could hinge on targeted political support.
From Fringe to Frontline Politics
Crypto PAC spending has surged. In 2020, the sector spent less than $3 million on campaigns. By the first half of 2025, lobbying alone had reached $18.4 million, not including campaign contributions. Now, with Fellowship and Fairshake combined, more than $360 million is at play. The industry no longer sees regulation as an external threat—it’s actively shaping the rules. Digital assets have moved from fringe finance to a seat at the policymaking table.
Global Competition Adds Pressure
The U.S. is also racing against international peers. The EU’s MiCA framework took effect in 2024, while Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE have already established comprehensive rules. Without clear domestic policy, U.S. talent and capital risk moving abroad. Fellowship PAC is making that case directly. Coinbase has already contributed over $33 million to crypto PACs, while Ripple added $23 million—underscoring how heavily the industry is investing in the rules of the game.
Money Talks at the Ballot Box
Crypto PACs also have a record of effectiveness. In 2024, they backed 58 races and won 53. One of the most striking results was Sen. Sherrod Brown’s defeat after $40 million in crypto-linked spending boosted his challenger. With Fellowship PAC now in play, those numbers could grow even higher in 2026.
Questions Over Transparency
One unresolved issue is donor transparency. Fellowship PAC has pledged openness but has yet to release a full list of contributors. Reports link executives at Cantor Fitzgerald—closely tied to Tether and to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s circle—suggesting Wall Street connections are already embedded in the effort. Whether that influence reassures or alarms voters will depend on their comfort with financial institutions shaping crypto’s regulatory future.
A New Era in Policy Influence
The broader trend is clear: crypto’s financial gains are translating into political muscle at a national scale. The debate is no longer about whether digital assets belong in portfolios—it’s about how tax rules, loss treatment, and structural regulations are written into law. With Fellowship PAC entering the arena, crypto is no longer a fringe voice in Washington. It is becoming a central player in how America writes the future of its markets.
