Crypto PACs are helping Senators win US primaries faster than the Senate can move the law they want
Fairshake, crypto’s main super PAC, spent over $12 million backing Barry Moore in Alabama’s Republican Senate runoff, and he won with about 56%, likely securing the seat in a deep-red state. The result fits a broader strategy: crypto groups are using big money to shape low-turnout primaries in safe districts, where relatively small spending can produce future lawmakers likely to support the industry. Fairshake and affiliates have had strong success in Southern primaries and have backed candidates in both parties, including wins for pro-crypto Democrats in Houston, though they also suffered a notable loss in Illinois. The goal is legislative leverage, not just elections. Backers like Coinbase, a16z, and Ripple want the CLARITY Act, which would divide crypto oversight between the SEC and CFTC and reduce regulatory uncertainty. The bill passed the House but remains stalled in the Senate, with floor time still unscheduled. Crypto has become highly effective at winning candidates, but not yet at passing the law it wants.
