Public Citizen Unveils that Crypto and AI Power Record $500M Corporate Political Spending Ahead of U.S. Midterms

Key Takeaways:

• Since the 2026 U.S. election cycle, crypto companies have invested $189 million, more than any other company sector.
• Fairshake and MAGA Inc. are still the top two receivers of crypto-enabled political funding.
• The political path of the industry since 2024 is now being followed by AI, Big Tech and online betting firms.

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Political spending by companies has never been so high, and cryptocurrencies are not far behind. Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen released a new report that reveals crypto companies have already allocated $189 million to the 2026 federal election cycle, staking their claim as the nation’s biggest corporate political presence in Washington.

According to the report, crypto companies account for roughly 37% of all disclosed corporate political contributions during the 2026 midterm cycle. So far, spending by companies has hit $517 million, topping the previous $461 million record during the entire 2024 election season.

The report suggests that the crypto companies have continued the political approach they introduced in 2024. Instead of funding a political party, they’re funneling funds into super PACs that back candidates who are perceived to be pro-favorable to digital asset policies, irrespective of party.

Read More: 70% of U.S. Voters Demand Crypto Rules as CLARITY Act Wins Bipartisan Backing

Fairshake continues to serve as the crypto sector’s primary political organization.

The report says the pro-crypto super PAC has received more than $82 million in corporate contributions this cycle, while affiliated committees continue supporting candidates across both Republican and Democratic races.

Ripple and Coinbase remain among Fairshake’s largest corporate supporters. Ripple and Coinbase were big financial supporters of crypto political campaigns, giving about $48.5 million and $33 million to Fairshake and crypto-related committees, respectively.

In contrast, Crypto.com loaded $35 million to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc. super PAC, and other Crypto.com entities chipped in to MAGA Inc. and Digital Freedom Fund.

Read More: Trump Taps Tech & Crypto Giants for PCAST, Signaling Major Policy Shift Ahead

Public Citizen says other industries are now copying the political model pioneered by crypto companies.

Artificial intelligence firms, major technology companies, and online betting operators have collectively committed another $105 million, largely through sector-specific super PACs such as Leading the Future and Win for America.

Together, crypto, AI, Big Tech, and online betting corporations have contributed $294 million, representing about 57% of all reported corporate election spending during the current cycle.

Since the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision, corporate political spending has now totaled $1.58 billion, and nearly one-third of that amount has been during this election alone, according to the report.

Researchers also warn that the known amounts may be underestimated as some nonprofit groups and dark money groups are not transparent with federal regulators.

Other crypto-friendly political groups have also collected money in 2026 before the Fairshake election initiative, such as the groups behind Cantor Fitzgerald’s Fellowship PAC, which has been reported to have raised $100 million at minimum and has yet to report the bulk of its raises in federal filings.

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