Democratic National Committee Chair Met With Bitcoin Miner Marathon, Exec Says

Democratic National Committee Chair Jamie R. Harrison met with executives from Bitcoin mining company Marathon Digital earlier this month, according to Jayson Browder, the firm’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. The meeting focused on ways to address the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining and discussed the increasing interest in cryptocurrency investments in the U.S. The dialogue indicates that Democrats are taking notice of the crypto industry, despite the absence of references to cryptocurrencies or blockchain networks in the party’s recently released platform. Marathon had previously submitted digital currency policy recommendations to the DNC this summer. The meeting with Marathon executives is the latest example of Democrats becoming more open to engaging with the cryptocurrency industry. This shift comes in the midst of notable crypto-related developments within the party, such as the overturning of an SEC rule and hosting a roundtable discussion with crypto industry leaders. Pro-crypto super PAC Fairshake has also pledged significant financial support to Democratic politicians running in congressional races in key battleground states.