The crypto industry is stepping deeper into American politics with the launch of the Fellowship PAC, an independent expenditure committee pledging over $100 million to back pro-innovation and pro-crypto candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Positioning itself as a transparent alternative to established groups like Fairshake, the Fellowship PAC stated its mission is to protect America’s competitive edge in blockchain and digital assets while building trust across the broader ecosystem. While its backers remain undisclosed, the announcement signals growing influence of crypto lobbying in Washington.
Crypto-focused political spending surged in the 2024 federal elections, where Fairshake alone raised over $260 million and spent $195 million supporting pro-crypto lawmakers. Its efforts contributed to the defeats of prominent incumbents including Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, Katie Porter, and Sherrod Brown. The super PAC’s external spending surpassed $40 million in 2023, reshaping key races.
Looking ahead to 2026, Fairshake has already stockpiled $140 million, according to the latest FEC filings. Coinbase leads its donor list, contributing $33.2 million across five donations. Ripple Labs added $23 million, Uniswap Labs nearly $1 million, Robert Leshner $300,000, and the Solana Policy Institute $10,000.
The arrival of the Fellowship PAC adds another powerful player to the crypto lobbying landscape. Combined with billionaire donations to Donald Trump’s campaign and ongoing industry fundraising, the movement highlights how blockchain and cryptocurrency interests are set to shape policy debates and candidate support. With over $100 million committed, the Fellowship PAC signals that congressional candidates can no longer ignore the financial and political weight of the digital asset sector.
