As the recent government shutdown – the longest on record – confirms, the U.S. remains a deeply divided country politically speaking and that situation is unlikely to change over the near-term.
In some cases, those divisions play out in the world of investing where some studies suggest Democrats are more likely to invest in certain sectors while Republicans are more likely to embrace others. Want to know what’s not subject to the intersection of investing and partisanship? Try bitcoin.
That might surprise plenty of advisors and investors because there’s no shortage of cryptocurrency and political pundits that’ll say President Trump’s pro-crypto stances were pivotal in helping win back the White House in November 2024. That part is true, but what’s not true is that many of the single-issue crypto voters that backed Trump last year are “hard core” Republicans.
They’re not. Most likely, they’re independents that are devoted to bitcoin and cryptocurrency as an asset class, implying they’ll be responsive in positive fashion to candidates that are pro-digital currency. Said another way, any candidate – Democrat or Republican – can make headway with crypto-inclined voters with the right messaging.
Bitcoin Enthusiasm not Tied to Politics
A recent study by the Bitcoin Policy Institute confirms bitcoin support is not encumbered by partisan politics. In polling folks, the Institute focused on three questions: whether or not bitcoin helps or harms the U.S. energy grid, how the digital currency can help people in countries known for political volatility and/or limited traditional banking systems and “support for individuals' right to use bitcoin for lawful purposes without government interference.”
When bitcoin is framed as a positive force for democracy, particularly in countries not known for that style of government, Democrat voters respond positively to the digital currency.
“This suggests that Democrats, who prioritize threats to democracy, resonate deeply with bitcoin's potential to empower the global vulnerable, aligning with values of equity and human rights,” notes the institute. “This insight demonstrates feasibility for Democratic lawmakers to adopt pro-Bitcoin stances, and when these stances outline the importance of bitcoin for financial freedom, the likelihood of their base voting for them increases.”
Independents more so than Democrats view bitcoin as a tool that can uplift underserved people and economically challenged communities whereas Republicans are supportive of rights to transact in bitcoin and the potential of the cryptocurrency to shore up the energy grid.
“Both demonstrate a 5x yield in support for pro-Bitcoin lawmakers among Republicans and Independents,” adds the Institute.
Bitcoin Can Bridge Divides
These days, bridging partisan divides, many of which run deep, is no easy task, but don’t underestimate bitcoin’s ability to at least contribute to the effort.
There’s a message in there for candidates, too. As the Bitcoin Policy Institute points out, bitcoin messaging is best executed when it emphasizes financial inclusion, not when the conversation focuses on how the asset can enrich individuals.
“These findings underscore Bitcoin's potential to bridge partisan divides. Policymakers across the aisle can leverage these insights to advance legislation that appeals to voters' shared values of financial freedom and democracy, with low risk of alienating their voter bases,” concludes the Institute. “This is especially true for Democratic lawmakers whose constituents care about global financial equity. Embracing pro-Bitcoin policies can garner enthusiastic support without alienating core priorities.”
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