Democrats may lose youth votes over anti-crypto sentiments, warns Winklevoss
Luisa Crawford Jun 12, 2023 07:53
Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss has warned that the Democratic Party risks losing crucial support from younger voters due to what he perceives as an aggressive stance on cryptocurrencies by notable figures within the party.
Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss has warned that the Democratic Party risks losing crucial support from younger voters due to what he perceives as an aggressive stance on cryptocurrencies by notable figures within the party. In a series of tweets, Winklevoss asserted that Democrats are alienating Millennials and Generation Z—groups which, he says, have wholly embraced the emerging asset class.
"Winning the youth vote w/ 'get out the vote' is a key part of the Democratic playbook," he tweeted. "Dems believe the youth vote will carry the day."
However, Winklevoss posited that this essential demographic, which could swing the balance of power in future elections, is at risk due to the party's approach to cryptocurrencies. He points to Senator Elizabeth Warren and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Gary Gensler as the main culprits behind what he sees as an unjust war against crypto. Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), led by Gary Gensler, has brought charges against major cryptocurrency exchanges Binance and Coinbase, alleging that certain coins, such as Matic and SQL, are securities. Following these actions, there was a significant crash in altcoin prices over the weekend.
"Crypto has already won the hearts and minds of Millennials and GenZ," Winklevoss noted. "They don't debate the merits of crypto. They debate where and what to build next."
Winklevoss also mentioned the large number of young investors who have bet their life savings on cryptocurrencies. In his view, they will not forget any value destruction that they perceive as having been caused by Warren and Gensler.
In a conclusion that might send ripples through the political sphere, Winklevoss questioned the motives and understanding of the party's establishment: "Two explanations: (1) the blue establishment either doesn't understand what's going on w/ Warren and Gensler or (2) are grossly miscalculating the impact of their actions on the youth vote this upcoming election cycle."
As the political and regulatory landscapes around cryptocurrencies continue to evolve, these comments add another layer to the debate. They highlight the potential implications not only on financial markets but also on the political attitudes of younger generations who have been found to be increasingly supportive of decentralized finance. With an upcoming election cycle, the Democratic Party's approach to this issue may indeed have far-reaching consequences.
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