Sanders pledged to challenge crypto and AI billionaires while campaigning for Flanagan, joining Warren in criticizing the industry's growing political influence.
Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his anti-crypto message to a campaign rally in Minneapolis on Wednesday, backing Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan's Senate bid and pledging to take on the industry alongside AI and other billionaire-backed PACs.
"Together, we are going to take on crypto, the AI industry, AIPAC and other billionaire super PACs and send Peggy to the United States Senate," Sanders wrote on X.
The independent senator from Vermont has long viewed digital assets skeptically. During the debate over the Republican-backed GENIUS Act, which passed last year, Sanders warned that crypto legislation would enrich wealthy insiders while exposing ordinary investors to risk.
His latest remarks echo those of fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren, who has called crypto a vehicle for "dark money groups" spending millions to influence elections. Warren has criticized what she calls "industry-written" crypto laws.
The criticism lands as crypto-backed political organizations have become major forces in U.S. elections. Fairshake, a super PAC, along with affiliates Protect Progress and Defend American Jobs, spent heavily on congressional races in the 2024 cycle. Major backers include Coinbase, Ripple Labs and venture firm Andreessen Horowitz.
Supporters of the PACs argue they are helping elect lawmakers who understand digital assets and want clearer rules.
Drafted by a large language model from the source reporting linked above, then screened by automated publishing checks. It is not read by a journalist before publication. Some articles cite our Alpha Score. Verify prices and figures against the original source. Educational coverage, not personalized advice.