Trump VP Pick J.D. Vance Holds Bitcoin Worth Over $100K

Key Takeaways:

• J.D. Vance owns between $100,000 – $250,000 in Bitcoin on Coinbase.
• Vance is drafting pro-crypto legislation to reform financial regulations.
• Crypto policies could sway voters in swing states, according to recent polls.

Introduction: 

J.D. Vance, the running mate chosen by former President Donald Trump, has disclosed his Bitcoin holdings. This disclosure comes amid growing attention to cryptocurrency issues in the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the potential influence of crypto-friendly politicians in shaping future regulations.

J.D. Vance's Bitcoin Holdings and Financial Disclosures 

According to his latest federal financial disclosure for the calendar year 2022, filed in October 2023, Vance holds between $100,001 and $250,000 in Bitcoin on Coinbase. 

According to his most recent financial disclosure last year, Trump's Vice President pick @JDVance1 is a bitcoiner. pic.twitter.com/p5h7EWOIE6

— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) July 15, 2024

The Senator also maintains accounts with brokerages Robinhood and Charles Schwab. Vance's estimated net worth is between $5 million and $10.5 million.

In addition to his crypto holdings, Vance reported income of $110,146 from his Cincinnati-based Narya Capital Management firm and $121,376 in royalties from HarperCollins for his bestselling 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”

Vance has established himself as a crypto-friendly voice on Capitol Hill. He is currently drafting legislation aimed at reforming how financial regulators police digital assets in the U.S.

As reported by Politico, Vance's plan has the potential to make current policies more industry-friendly, which could have a significant impact on the crypto market. This is not his first foray into crypto legislation, either.

Last year, Vance introduced a bill to protect banks from regulatory pressure to cut off services to crypto firms. He has also opposed amendments that he believed would lead to “mass surveillance” of the crypto industry and a “backdoor ban” of Bitcoin.

Crypto's Role in the 2024 Election 

So far, Trump has expressed a desire to emerge as the “Crypto President,” marking a shift from his previous skepticism towards Bitcoin. This pivot towards crypto-friendly policies is driven by emerging evidence of the “crypto voter” as a real demographic. 

A May Harris Poll survey found that one-fifth of voters in swing states consider cryptocurrency policies important enough to sway their support. This sentiment has led many to view the Trump-Vance ticket as a potential beacon of hope against anti-crypto initiatives. 

Sam Lyman, Director of Public Policy at Riot Platforms, offered his perspective on the matter to Fox Business. 

He suggested that the Trump-Vance candidacy could effectively counter efforts to build an “anti-crypto army,” a concept proposed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, known for her skeptical stance on cryptocurrencies. 

Lyman expressed confidence in the ticket's appeal to crypto advocates, characterizing it as ideal for those who value financial autonomy and unrestricted transactions.

Further demonstrating the campaign's engagement with the crypto community, Trump is set to deliver a keynote speech at the upcoming Bitcoin Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

ANNOUNCING: PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP TO SPEAK AT #BITCOIN2024 pic.twitter.com/F2mwECVMTW

— The Bitcoin Conference (@TheBitcoinConf) July 10, 2024

Notably, political action committees supporting crypto-friendly policies have raised over $357 million to lobby for pro-crypto policymakers, which further adds to the potential impact of cryptocurrency issues on the election outcome.