Vice President Kamala Harris’ decision to decline the Bitcoin Conference 2024 invitation has stirred a mix of reactions within the crypto industry. As the event draws near, former President Donald Trump’s confirmation of his attendance adds a high-profile dimension to the conference, overshadowing Harris’ absence.
David Bailey, CEO of Bitcoin Magazine and the conference organizer, broke the news in a 24th July X post, stating, “No surprise. What can she say to us when she’s actively imprisoning developers, forcing our industry overseas, and attacking PoW… It would have been a disaster for her. All eyes are on Trump now.”
Despite this development, the crypto community appears largely unfazed. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented, “Jumping to conclusions and assumptions about candidates purely based on political affiliation without any policy proposals is holding the crypto industry back (similar to how tribalism has for years).”
Garlinghouse emphasized Harris’ strong ties to Silicon Valley and her potential to address critical issues surrounding U.S. competitiveness, including cryptocurrency regulation. He expressed hope for a fresh perspective from Harris but warned against a critical stance similar to that of Senator Elizabeth Warren, stating, “Then she has miscalculated the political liability that is Gary Gensler.”
The contentious position of SEC Chair Gary Gensler remains a hot topic. His regulatory approach has polarized opinions within the crypto space, leading to speculation about potential changes under a future administration.
Scaramucci Predicts Harris Presidency Could Shift Crypto Regulation
Anthony Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner at SkyBridge, offered a unique perspective. He remarked, “I’m seeing a lot of bad takes on @VP @KamalaHarris’s decision not to speak at the #Bitcoin Conference… she is open-minded about crypto.”
Scaramucci forecast significant regulatory leadership changes under a Harris presidency, predicting the replacement of Gary Gensler and Senator Elizabeth Warren, currently key figure in financial regulation. He suggested this shift would lead to a more balanced and less confrontational stance on cryptocurrency regulation, capturing the sentiment by stating, “Let’s keep crypto bipartisan, it will be healthier for the ecosystem in the long run.”
Impact on Memecoin and Prediction Market
Harris’s decision has also impacted the market. The Kamala Harris-based meme coin, KAMA, fell by over 11% in the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko. Polymarket prediction data shows Harris trailing in second place with 33%, while Trump leads with 62%.
As the Bitcoin Conference 2024 approaches, the absence of Vice President Harris and the participation of Donald Trump have set the stage for an event that could significantly influence the crypto industry’s future. The community remains divided on the implications, but the overarching sentiment is clear: the regulatory landscape is poised for potential change, depending on the political shifts in the coming years.