With the 2026 U.S. midterm elections approaching, crypto-backed political action committees are intensifying their lobbying push on Capitol Hill as regulators weigh fresh digital asset rules. Fairshake, a cryptocurrency industry–funded PAC, has mobilized substantial financial reserves and mobilized support from high-profile donors as part of a broader strategy to shape policy. As of January, Fairshake reported about $193 million in cash on hand, a roughly 37% uptick from its July disclosure, underscoring the scale of industry investment in political leverage ahead of the election cycle. Donors named in recent disclosures include Ripple Labs and a16z, with $25 million and $24 million respectively, along with Coinbase contributing $25 million in 2025. This funding surge arrives amid ongoing debates about consumer protections, innovation, and access to financial services in the United States. The capacity of Fairshake to amass funds reflects a broader pattern in which crypto-aligned group...