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Kraken, one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges in the US, is doubling down on its support for pro-crypto politics. The company has pledged $2 million to back groups pushing for policies that favor digital assets.
In a post on X, Co-CEO Arjun Sethi said the crypto donations will be split evenly between America First Digital and the Freedom Fund PAC, with each receiving $1 million.
Sethi described the move as part of a bigger fight to protect crypto’s future in the US. He acknowledged that the industry has scored some victories recently but stressed that the battle is far from finished. According to Sethi, cryptocurrency isn’t just about technology. It is about personal freedoms, including the right to financial privacy and the ability to control one's own assets.
This isn’t Kraken’s first time getting involved in politics. In 2017, the company donated $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, underscoring its long-standing willingness to put money behind its beliefs.
America First Digital is a Republican-aligned group with direct ties to the Trump movement. The organization advocates for digital asset legislation and the creation of a strategic Bitcoin reserve. It is led by Jason Thielman, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, with Kristin Walker, a former chief of staff to Senator Cynthia Lummis, serving as senior advisor.
Senator Lummis recently reintroduced the BITCOIN Act, which suggests that the government purchase $80 billion of Bitcoin to serve as a reserve asset. Freedom Fund PAC is not as closely linked to the Trump campaign, but it is a powerful Republican conduit. It is related to Senator Mike Crapo, who is the chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee and who is at the center of forming the tax policy.
Although Senator Crapo is not up for reelection until 2029, the fund directs resources toward supporting other Republican candidates and causes. His position gives him influence over how digital assets may be treated under US tax law in upcoming debates.
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Kraken’s donations come as the crypto industry increases its presence in US politics. The move follows a $21 million contribution by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss to establish the Digital Freedom Fund PAC. Unlike other political action committees that present themselves as bipartisan, the Winklevoss-backed group has openly declared support for Republican candidates. It aims to advance Donald Trump’s pro-crypto politics and support in the 2026 midterm elections.
Washington is adopting a different path by the Fairshake super PAC. With the backing of such heavy players as Coinbase, Ripple, and Andreessen Horowitz, the group enlisted almost 300 million dollars in 2024 and distributed its support to both political parties.
The influx of political donations is not only about influence but also about the safety of the principles that determine crypto to industry leaders. They have the right to own their digital property, to build freely, and to oppose surveillance-based financial systems. Kraken's choice to intervene underscores how more companies are becoming involved in the broader effort to shape the future of crypto in the United States.
