According to reports from X, Ripple legal chief and National Cryptocurrency Association President Stuart Alderoty argued that Washington should stop treating crypto users as a small political group. He pointed to National Cryptocurrency Association data showing that 67 million American adults own crypto, representing one of the country's largest public groups. As reported by X, Alderoty stated that "For starters, it means more people have crypto than have dogs," emphasizing that crypto users are "by any reasonable standard" a large national group. The latest data reveals that the industry added 12 million new U.S. users over the past year, demonstrating continued rapid adoption across the country.
As reported by X, Alderoty's comments came after a Politico poll showed limited public support for the CLARITY Act, with only 27% support among Americans. However, he argued that weak support for one bill does not mean crypto users are irrelevant, noting that the 27% figure is close to the share of adults who already hold crypto. According to reports, the CLARITY Act, a bill meant to set federal rules for crypto markets, now faces an August 7 deadline before the Senate summer break after missing its July 4 target. Alderoty has argued that passing the CLARITY Act does not require Congress to endorse any specific cryptocurrency, but will establish standard consumer protections and promote innovation.
According to the 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report cited by X, one in four U.S. adults now owns crypto, representing more than 67 million people. The report also revealed significant demographic changes, with women making up 42% of new holders in 2025 and 2026, compared with 34% among earlier holders. As reported by X, the same data showed that nearly a quarter of holders earn $75,000 or less per year, while construction and manufacturing workers now comprise more than 21% of the holder base. A recent Politico poll noted that 45% of Americans view crypto as risky, but Alderoty argued that risk perception does not equal rejection, challenging the outdated caricature of the average crypto investor as an affluent male tech worker.
As reported by X, public polling presents mixed signals for lawmakers, with a Politico and Public First survey finding that crypto ranked low among voter priorities, with only 4% saying a candidate's crypto stance would shape their vote. However, Americans for Financial Reform reported that voters across parties worry about crypto industry influence in Washington and want crypto firms to follow bank-like rules. According to Reuters, crypto firms have spent $189 million so far on the 2026 U.S. election cycle, with Ripple Labs, Coinbase, Andreessen Horowitz, and Foris DAX among the top contributors to corporate policy-focused political action committees.
