Jesse Powell, co-founder of Kraken, announced recently that he has personally contributed $1 million, primarily in Ether, to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Powell underscored his endorsement of Trump as the sole major party candidate actively promoting pro-cryptocurrency policies.
In addition, Powell criticized the Biden administration for its regulatory stance on the crypto sector. He specifically called out Senator Elizabeth Warren and SEC Chair Gary Gensler, accusing them of undermining U.S. competitiveness.
Rudy De La Cruz, general and strategic partner at BasedVC, shared with Cointelegraph a sense of optimism prevailing within the crypto industry.
Powell believes Trump’s candidacy in the upcoming election presents an opportunity for the U.S. to take a leading role in blockchain technology. Powell’s announcement, accompanied by a photo of himself and Trump affirming their alliance, featured the hashtag #freeross, referencing Ross Ulbricht.
Ulbricht, sentenced in 2015 to life imprisonment plus 40 years for creating Silk Road, an anonymous online marketplace, has become a focal point of discussion in the crypto community.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a U.S. presidential candidate, pledged in a recent statement to free Ulbricht if elected, expressing support for a petition aimed at his release.
Meanwhile, amid increasing challenges in Ethereum phishing, perpetrators are shifting their focus towards TON and Bitcoin.