The Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) he will be the first presidential candidate in US history to accept campaign donations in Bitcoin, making his first appearance as a presidential candidate at Bitcoin Miami 2023. During the event he praised the cryptocurrency as a “symbol of democracy and freedom.”
“Today we show the world the power, durability and flexibility of Bitcoin. […] Almost everyone in this room is aware of the link between Bitcoin and democracy and freedom. […] They are passionate about the profound representation of a dire need we have for freedom and democracy, and the promise this innovation holds to guarantee those virtues.”
The candidate, who is facing Joe Biden, has shared his libertarian views on cryptocurrency on Twitter. In a May 3 post, RFK claimed that “crypto technologies are a major driver of innovation,” adding that the United States is hampering the industry and taking “innovation elsewhere.”
By attending the event, RFK is not only addressing voters, but also a potential source of millions of dollars in donations. During last year’s midterm elections, Sam Bankman Fried, former CEO of now-bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX, donated $40 million in support of various candidates. Coinbase has also actively lobbied for laws to regulate the crypto space in the country.
RFK’s biggest bet on cryptocurrencies coincides with a strict regulatory environment in the United States that spreads uncertainty among participants and hurts an already battered industry.
The candidate believe that the US economy could be more resilient with a diverse ecosystem of currencies:
“Just as a biodiverse ecosystem is a resilient ecosystem, our economy will also be more resilient if it has a diverse ecology of currencies, not just a single, centrally controlled one. Today we are seeing how fragile our overly centralized system is.”
Investments in crypto assets are not regulated. They may not be suitable for retail investors and the entire amount invested may be lost. The services or products offered are not directed or accessible to investors in Spain.