The 2024 US elections are witnessing a growing emphasis on cryptocurrency, with a new poll highlighting the rising importance of crypto knowledge among likely voters. Conducted by Harris Poll and sponsored by Grayscale, the survey shows that 77% of over 1,800 likely voters believe presidential candidates should be well-informed about cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency. Furthermore, 56% of respondents stated that they are more likely to vote for candidates who demonstrate a strong understanding of crypto issues, although their primary concerns remain inflation, national security, and foreign policy. The poll also indicates that Republicans have a slight edge over Democrats in terms of being favorable to crypto investors.

The perception of crypto and blockchain as the 'future of finance' is gaining traction, with 46% of respondents now agreeing with this concept. Additionally, 21% of voters, or about one in five, hold some form of cryptocurrency, usually bitcoin, as an investment. The number of voters aware of crypto has increased from 47% to 53% since the first poll in December. Many respondents, about half, are waiting for regulations to be implemented before considering investing in cryptocurrencies.

These findings come as the vice-presidential candidates prepare to debate, with approximately five weeks remaining until the polls open on November 5. While crypto has been prominent among Republican politicians, the Democrats have taken a more cautious approach. The industry has spent significant amounts on congressional primaries, with $169 million in political action committees recently spending $40 million in a high-stakes Senate race.

However, the leading super PAC, Fairshake, has not yet taken a side in the presidential contest. A separate analysis by Coinbase Inc.

suggests that crypto investors have the potential to make a significant impact in the presidential election. The analysis, based on voter data in battleground states, reveals that the total number of cryptocurrency investors in these states is approximately 16 times the vote differentials in the 2020 election.

Crypto owners are typically younger, racially diverse, and have an annual income of less than $100,000. They are currently evenly split between supporting Trump and Harris, although slightly more likely to be Democrats or independents than Republicans. The research firm also found that 18% of crypto owners are mothers with at least one child at home, 41% listen to country music, and 71% of Gen Z crypto owners think about digital assets at least as much as they think about Taylor Swift. Moreover, 81% of crypto owners believe that the lack of US regulations is hindering wider adoption.