Chris Larsen and 87 corporate leaders back Harris despite her campaign's stance on crypto payments
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: Chris Larsen, the executive chairman of blockchain company Ripple has publicly endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and joined a growing list of 88 current and former top executives supporting her campaign.
His endorsement along with other high-profile investors like James Murdoch and philanthropist Lynn Forester de Rothschild, came as a surprise to the cryptocurrency community, especially given that Harris' campaign does not directly accept crypto payments.
High-profile support for Kamala Harris' presidential candidacy
The endorsement of Kamala Harris by Ripple executives, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who previously voiced his support, has also surprised Ripple and XRP enthusiasts.
The Harris campaign’s policy against accepting direct crypto donations contrasts with the industry’s expectations, leading some to view the move as a broader signal of acceptance and potential influence rather than a rigid alignment with the digital currency space.
Kamala Harris' campaign on cryptocurrency transactions
Kamala Harris' campaign has been receiving endorsements from prominent business leaders, as reported in a letter released on September 5 by CNBC.
The letter also included endorsements from corporate leaders like Aaron Levie, CEO of Box, Michael Lynton, chairman of Snap, and Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO of Yelp.
This move marks the first public endorsement for the vice president from Larsen, Murdoch, and other influential figures since she became the Democratic presidential nominee in July.
Despite Harris' campaign not directly accepting crypto payments, there is still support within the broader tech and finance communities.
Coinbase chief financial officer Alesia Haas noted that the Future Forward PAC, which supports Harris, is accepting crypto donations, providing an alternative avenue for cryptocurrency enthusiasts to contribute to her campaign indirectly.
Silicon Valley’s strong ties with Kamala Harris
Silicon Valley has been showing robust support for Kamala Harris, with prominent figures including entrepreneur Mark Cuban, venture capitalist Ron Conway, and former LinkedIn CEO Reid Hoffman among her endorsers.
Expressing optimism about collaborating on tax policies and other critical issues, Cuban revealed that he communicates with the Harris campaign three to four times a week.
His support reflected a significant shift from his initial hope in former president Donald Trump as a pro-business leader, indicating Harris’ appeal to tech and business leaders seeking a realistic approach to economic policies.
Endorsements from corporate leaders like Larsen and Cuban highlight a strategic alignment with the vice president's overall platform, even if her campaign diverges from specific interests like cryptocurrency.
The support from these influential figures could play a crucial role in shaping the direction of her campaign for the November election and potential presidency.
