Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Input Output Global and the Cardano blockchain ecosystem, has openly refuted Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin’s recent statement advising against choosing political allegiances based solely on a candidate’s stance on cryptocurrency. 

In Hoskinson’s post on X platform, he argues that the crypto community should adopt a single-issue voting strategy focused on supporting pro-crypto candidates. He believes that politicians will think twice before targeting the crypto industry if they understand the potential electoral consequences.

Crypto a decisive voting issue

Additionally, the executive believes that a vote for Joe Biden would have a negative impact on the American crypto industry. Hoskinson believes that making crypto a decisive voting issue will force politicians to moderate their stance and avoid actions that could harm the industry.

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recently expressed his concerns,  cautioning voters against  backing political candidates who profess support for cryptocurrencies without grasping the technology's underlying principles and objectives.

Charles Hoskinson rejects Vitalik Buterin's view on pro-crypto voting image 0 Source: Charles Hoskinson

Buterin’s article stresses that the crypto movement’s original values, inspired by the cypherpunk ethos, focus on promoting overall freedom and decentralization, beyond just financial freedom.

He also highlights the potential dangers of aligning with authoritarian regimes that support crypto for their own benefit while suppressing individual freedoms.

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Buterin warns that focusing narrowly on “pro-crypto” candidates may lead to supporting politicians whose broader values might not align with those of the crypto community. He stressed the importance of considering a politician’s overall vision for technology, privacy, and internationalism rather than just their stance on cryptocurrency.

Crypto's political moment

However, Hoskinson differed, suggesting that 2024 voters should prioritize crypto-friendly candidates and make it a single-issue voting point. By doing so, politicians will be incentivized to moderate their stance and leave the industry alone, rather than risking losing votes.

The 2024 US presidential election will likely feel the impact of the merging cryptocurrency and political landscapes, as candidates’ crypto-related policies and views on blockchain innovation become a key factor in voters’ decisions

Results from a November 2023 Harris Poll conducted for Grayscale show that almost half of American voters (47%) plan to include cryptocurrency in their investment portfolio in the future.

For the first time in a major election, cryptocurrency is taking center stage, with leading candidates actively discussing its impact. This is a notable departure from previous campaigns where it played a smaller role, like Andrew Yang's .

Magazine: Crypto voters are already disrupting the 2024 election — and it’s set to continue