Summary:
- Swing Bloc emerges: A national Crypto Council poll shows unusual ticket-splitting between the presidential ballot and Congress, meaning the crypto voter could be a key swing voting bloc.
- Unequal access: Nearly 50% believe their access to financial products are “fair” or “poor”.
- Clear rules desired: Crypto voters prefer a candidate who “wants to write clear rules for cryptocurrency so that investors can continue to have choices, and the industry can continue to grow and create jobs.”
- Bipartisan opportunity: Poll shows both parties can gain from addressing crypto.
- Download the data
Washington, D.C. (January 2, 2024) – A national survey of crypto voters indicates unusual ticket-splitting between the likely Presidential ballot and the choice for Congress. The crypto voter could be a key swing voting bloc in the 2024 election.
“This latest poll confirms what our very first poll showed. Crypto voters are here to stay and are sending a clear message: they want Congress to prioritize cryptocurrency regulation. This issue could be the deciding factor in tight races, offering a unique opportunity for any party ready to earn their trust,” said Senator Cory Gardner, Political Advisor for the Crypto Council for Innovation.
“Crypto voters are not just a niche group; they’re a diverse and influential group that could shape the 2024 election landscape. This underscores the need for nuanced, informed policy-making, since these priorities could very well tip the scales in closely contested races,” said Brett Quick, Head of Government Affairs for the Crypto Council for Innovation.
While crypto owners are more likely to support a generic Democratic candidate over a Republican for Congress (by 4-points), these same crypto voters would currently vote for Donald Trump over Joe Biden in a head-to-head matchup by 10-points. This is significant ticket-splitting.
Ballot Tests Among Crypto Voters
Presidential Vote
Donald Trump 51%
Joe Biden 41%
Trump +10
Congressional Vote
Generic Republican 42%
Generic Democrat 46%
Cryptocurrency issues will certainly matter to crypto voters in their decision on the 2024 ballot. Eight in ten crypto voters say a candidate’s position on cryptocurrency matters and is at least “somewhat important” to their vote.
Given two candidate positions on cryptocurrency, an 83% supermajority of crypto voters say they would prefer a candidate who “wants to write clear rules for cryptocurrency so that investors can continue to have choices, and the industry can continue to grow and create jobs.”
Crypto voters care about inflation, the cost of living, and jobs
Like many in the broader electorate, crypto voters are focused on economic concerns. From a provided list, exactly half (50%) pick either: inflation and cost of living (31%) or economy and jobs (19%) as the most important issue for the President and Congress to work on. All other issues register in the single digits.
But, 78% of crypto voters say it is at least somewhat important that the President and Congress deal with the issue of cryptocurrency. This includes 85% of those who identify more with the Democratic party, and 74% of those who identify as Republican.
Crypto holders are optimistic, despite the headlines, and want market certainty
Nearly 90% of crypto voters have a favorable impression of cryptocurrency, and only 9% unfavorable. The majority of crypto voters would support proposals that provide certainty so Americans can invest in a safe and sound manner.
Uneven access to financial services and strong support for crypto as an alternative
Rating the financial condition of the United States, only 28% of crypto voters say it is “excellent” or “good,” while another 27% say it is “fair,” and 44% say it is “poor.”
When asked about their current access to financial products and services, 53% say it is “excellent” or “good”, and 47% say it is “fair” or “poor”, which suggests unequal access to the US financial system continues.
“As we navigate the evolving landscape of financial services, it’s clear that cryptocurrency is not just a novel asset, but an important pathway to financial inclusion,” said Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation. “Our research illuminates why a significant portion of the population feels left behind by traditional financial systems. By embracing digital assets as not just an inevitable but also a helpful tool, we’re paving the way for economic participation for those historically underserved, ensuring everyone ultimately has a fair chance to thrive in the global digital economy.”
Income and education strongly correlate, as 78% of those crypto voters in households making over $100,000 a year in income saying their access is “excellent” or “good”, compared to 45% of those in households making $50-$100K, and only 34% of those in households making less than $50K. More than two-thirds (69%) of college graduate crypto voters have excellent or good access, dropping below 40% among those with less than a college degree.
Fully 86% of crypto voters would consider using crypto to obtain financial products and services, 47% saying they would strongly consider it.
Poll Methodology
The results of the national survey were collected between 5 and 6 December 2023 by The Tarrance Group and Patinkin Research Strategies.
About the Crypto Council for Innovation
The Crypto Council is the premier global alliance for advancing innovation. It believes in leading with a global view, advocating for inclusive regulation, and developing evidence-based insights to support government and business leaders. It has teams in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., New York, Denver, London, Brussels, and Hong Kong.
Note: Clarification added in for this sentence and bolded: Eight in ten crypto voters say a candidate’s position on cryptocurrency matters and is at least “somewhat important” to their vote.
