Coinbase’s ‘Stand With Crypto’ initiative launches crypto-focused U.S. presidential forum

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Coinbase’s “Stand With Crypto” initiative has announced a forum for 2024 U.S. presidential candidates to discuss blockchain tech and digital assets.

“We are excited to announce the first-ever Crypto Presidential Forum! Join us in New Hampshire to hear directly from candidates about their positions on crypto policy and a wide range of other topics,” said Stand With Crypto in a social media post.

The post reveals that the forum audience can ask questions and local leaders will participate in the event, saying, “Local leaders will also be featured and the event will serve as a space to connect with fellow advocates. Crypto is a topic of national importance, so let’s #StandWithCrypto on the national stage.”

Stand With Crypto has confirmed the participation of Republican candidates Asa Hutchinson and Vivek Ramaswamy, along with Democratic candidate Dean Phillips, for an in-person discussion in New Hampshire on December 11 regarding digital asset matters.

Other invitees are former president Donald Trump, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Republicans Doug Burgum, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie. Up to now, Trump has not participated in any Republican Party debates leading up to the 2024 election.

President Joe Biden, although not listed as “confirmed” or “invited” on the event website, is anticipated to represent the Democratic Party.

“This special opportunity allows you to hear from each presidential candidate and will provide candidates with a venue to address the crypto and blockchain community in New Hampshire,” said Stand With Crypto.

On January 23, New Hampshire’s primary will be one of the earliest for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, offering insights into the potential election outcome in November.

Polls indicate that President Biden is expected to compete against Trump in 2024, with the former president holding a substantial lead of about 58 percent. This is significantly higher than DeSantis, Haley, and Ramaswamy, who range between five percent and 13 percent.

Some candidates like Kennedy Jr. and Ramaswamy have highlighted digital assets as a major topic in their campaigns. However, Biden and Trump rarely discuss crypto and blockchain openly.

El Salvador making Bitcoin official currency

In El Salvador, pro-crypto former President Nayib Bukele stepped down from his role on December 1 to prepare for his 2024 election campaign. Bukele strongly supports making Bitcoin an official currency for the country. He was responsible for several government purchases of the cryptocurrency.

As per an update on December 4, the country’s total Bitcoin investments stand at $131 million. With a net profit of $3.6 million, the country has accumulated a total gain of 2.84 percent.

“Of course, we have no intention of selling; that has never been our objective,” said Bukele. “We are fully aware that the price will continue to fluctuate in the future; this doesn’t affect our long-term strategy.”

In 2021, El Salvador became the first country to accept Bitcoin as a legal tender. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cautioned that the risks associated with Bitcoin for El Salvador haven’t emerged because of the limited use of the cryptocurrency in the country.

In December 2022, Cointelegraph reporter Joe Hall tried using Bitcoin to pay for everyday services in El Salvador but faced disappointing outcomes. El Salvador aims to incorporate Bitcoin education into its state-run schools by the following year.