Crypto becomes 2026 election issue as DCG poll shows voter shift

Crypto has moved deeper into the 2026 election debate after a new DCG-Harris Poll showed rising voter interest in digital asset policy. 

The survey found that 40% of voters now view crypto as a major election issue, up from 20% in 2024.

The poll surveyed 1,874 registered voters from May 8 to May 18. It also included oversamples in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Crypto support doubles ahead of midterms

DCG said the results show a larger voter bloc watching how candidates discuss digital assets. The company released the findings as Congress debates major crypto rules, including the CLARITY Act.

Julie Stitzel, DCG’s chief policy officer, said voter interest already exists across key races. “Candidates who champion digital asset policy and financial privacy don’t have to look far for voter support. It’s already there,” she said.

Privacy becomes a central voter issue

The survey found that 84% of Americans believe individuals, not companies, should own their personal data. DCG said the result links digital asset policy with wider concerns about financial privacy and data control.

The poll also found that 55% of registered voters are more likely to use a service that does not use their personal data. That finding places privacy near the center of the crypto policy debate, especially as AI and digital finance expand.

Congress faces pressure over crypto rules

The timing matters because lawmakers are still debating how to regulate digital assets. The CLARITY Act has become one of the main bills under review, with supporters saying it would define oversight roles for crypto markets.

As previously reported by crypto.news, Coinbase, Ripple and more than 200 crypto groups urged Senate leaders to schedule a vote on the bill. Other reports said Galaxy Digital lowered its 2026 approval odds to 60% as the Senate calendar tightens before the August recess.

Polling shows mixed voter signals

The DCG poll points to stronger crypto interest, but other surveys show the issue still competes with broader economic concerns. A previous crypto.news report cited a Politico and Public First survey that found only 4% of Americans said a candidate’s crypto stance would shape their vote.

Pew Research Center data also showed that 19% of U.S. adults have used or invested in cryptocurrency. Republican usage rose from 16% in 2021 to 22% in 2026, while overall adoption stayed close to earlier levels.

Crypto-backed political spending adds another layer to the election debate. As crypto.news reported, Fairshake-linked groups have already spent millions in primaries as digital asset policy becomes a sharper dividing line in Congress.