On a scorching 100°F evening in Phoenix, the America Loves Crypto tour made its grand debut, energizing the city’s crypto enthusiasts. The event marked the first night of the nationwide tour organized by the Stand With Crypto Alliance.
This non-profit organization is on a mission to mobilize America’s 52 million crypto owners to vote in the upcoming November elections. The tour will traverse five key swing states in the coming weeks, aiming to amplify awareness about the significance of supporting candidates who champion pro-crypto policies.
The Evening’s Highlights
- Political Engagement: The event featured prominent speakers such as Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Arizona House Speaker Pro Tempore Travis Grantham (R). They were joined by influential crypto industry founders who underscored the importance of the crypto community’s political engagement.
- Musical Interlude: The evening was capped off with a vibrant performance by the Black Pumas, whose psychedelic soul grooves added a memorable touch to the night.
The Mission and the Margin
Logan Dobson, the Executive Director of Stand With Crypto, shared his vision with Bitcoin Magazine, emphasizing the organization’s focus on mobilizing the crypto vote without endorsing specific candidates or parties. The goal is to enhance voter turnout within the crypto community.
“Our only cause is crypto. We’re not pushing for specific candidates. We’re not pushing for specific parties. We’re just getting the crypto vote out,” Dobson explained.
His statement was particularly resonant in Arizona, where the margin of victory in the 2020 presidential election was approximately 10,500 votes. Stand With Crypto has already signed up 27,231 crypto advocates in the state, nearly three times the margin of victory from the previous election.
Encouragement from Politicians
Senator Kyrsten Sinema
Senator Sinema opened the event with a powerful call to action. She encouraged attendees to vote for candidates who support pro-crypto policies and emphasized the need for policies that foster innovation and a fair financial system.
- “You guys are a real force in Arizona and it’s important that we use this election cycle to ensure that the crypto community’s voice is heard,” she stated.
- She further stressed the importance of electing candidates who are not bound by outdated regulations and are willing to take risks to support crypto innovation.
- “We want to look for candidates who are reasonable but are willing to take risks and speak out against the party line rhetoric that’s trying to stop or slow the innovation of this industry,” Sinema added.
Speaker Pro Tempore Travis Grantham
Travis Grantham, a strong advocate for crypto freedom, expressed his concerns about current monetary policies and the need for generational change. He criticized the fiscal irresponsibility associated with the US dollar and advocated for policies that support crypto assets as a competitive alternative.
- “There’s a large group of elected officials who think the government is the solution to our monetary problems,” Grantham told Bitcoin Magazine. “One of the reasons [crypto] is becoming so popular is because of what we’re doing to the dollar.”
- He emphasized the importance of voting for politicians who support crypto and reject control-centric approaches that inhibit innovation.
- “It’s a freedom and control issue,” Grantham asserted. “Some politicians want control by keeping everybody married to one currency and not allowing anything else to break through.”
Founders’ Perspectives
Industry Leaders’ Call for Clear Regulation
A panel of prominent crypto founders from Arizona took the stage to share their perspectives and challenges.
The panel included Thor Abbasi, co-founder of DeFi protocol Zivoe; George Mekhail, VP of Operations for Bitcoin Magazine and co-organizer of the Arizona Bitcoin Network; and Shelton Beascochea, co-founder of DevilsDAO and Stand With Crypto Arizona Chapter President.
- Thor Abbasi discussed the regulatory challenges faced by crypto founders and the need for clear guidelines to operate within the legal framework. He referenced the negative impact of initiatives like Operation Chokepoint 2.0, which targeted the crypto industry’s interaction with banks.
- “If we had regulation describing what crypto companies need to do to be banked, that would be hugely beneficial,” Abbasi noted.
- George Mekhail highlighted the progress the crypto industry has made over the past few years and expressed optimism about its future trajectory. He praised the event as a testament to the growing influence of the crypto community.
- “The momentum is behind us. It’s events like this and just showing up and demonstrating that we have a really important voice,” Mekhail concluded.
Conclusion
The Phoenix kickoff of the America Loves Crypto tour was a resounding success, blending political advocacy, community engagement, and entertainment. The event underscored the critical role of the crypto community in shaping future policies and highlighted the collective efforts of industry leaders, politicians, and enthusiasts to support a favorable environment for cryptocurrency innovation. As the tour continues through key swing states, the message remains clear: the crypto community’s voice is a powerful force in the upcoming elections.