David Plouffe, a former adviser for Alchemy Pay and cryptocurrency exchange Binance, is reportedly joining Kamala Harris’s 2024 United States presidential campaign. According to a Politico report dated Aug. 2, the Harris campaign has onboarded several senior advisers, including Plouffe. Known for his role as a campaign manager and senior adviser for US President Barack Obama, Plouffe ventured into the crypto space after his White House stint in 2013. In 2022, he joined Binance’s Global Advisory Board, which was reportedly later disbanded, and served as a global strategic adviser for Alchemy Pay in 2023.
It remains unclear whether Plouffe’s involvement will extend to advising the Harris campaign on cryptocurrency and blockchain matters. On Aug. 2, the Democratic National Committee announced that Vice President Harris had secured enough delegates to become the party’s official candidate for 2024. However, she is set to formally accept the nomination only “next week.”
The Harris campaign’s stance on cryptocurrency is still unclear, given that the campaign is merely 12 days old at the time of writing. Representatives are reportedly scheduled to meet with leaders from the crypto industry on Aug. 5 for a roundtable discussion in Washington, DC. Interestingly, the campaign’s social media team highlighted Republican nominee Donald Trump’s suggestion to use Bitcoin (BTC) to address US debt in an Aug. 2 social media post.
Reports suggest that Plouffe’s addition to the Harris campaign comes at a time when several Democrats are urging Vice President Harris to consider a running mate who could potentially shift public perception of the party on cryptocurrency issues. Harris is expected to announce her vice-presidential pick by Aug. 6, with leading contenders being Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Other White House officials under President Joe Biden’s administration have reportedly moved to support Harris since Biden announced on July 21 that he would not seek reelection. Anita Dunn, a Biden adviser who attended a roundtable discussion with crypto industry representatives and US lawmakers in July, will reportedly join a Democratic-focused political action committee.
The involvement of high-profile figures like Plouffe in the Harris campaign adds an intriguing layer to the 2024 election narrative, especially concerning cryptocurrency regulation and adoption. As the campaign unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how Harris and her team navigate the complex and rapidly evolving landscape of digital assets. With Plouffe’s experience in both the political and crypto arenas, his role could be pivotal in shaping the campaign’s approach to these critical issues.
