Neil Bergquist Explains How 20% of Americans Became a Crypto Voting Bloc

When Neil Bergquist co-founded Coinme in 2014, cryptocurrency existed in a regulatory void that few policymakers understood or acknowledged. "Most of the people in Congress and Washington, DC, at large, really had never even heard of it at that time, and so there really was zero guidance," recalls the crypto exchange CEO. "So you could just operate in this gray area."

Eleven years later, the transformation has been dramatic. "Fast-forward today, you have the President launching a meme coin and setting up a strategic Bitcoin reserve and legislation in Congress with support on both sides of the aisle," Bergquist observes. This shift reflects the emergence of what survey data now confirms: a substantial voting bloc of Americans whose cryptocurrency ownership has become a meaningful factor in their electoral decisions.

The Numbers Behind Crypto's Political Influence

Recent polling reveals the scale of cryptocurrency's political impact. The Digital Chamber found that approximately 26 million Americans—roughly one in seven voters—now constitute what researchers term a "crypto voting bloc.” These voters indicated that a candidate's stance on digital assets was "extremely" or "very" important in determining their vote choice.

The Blockchain Association's research shows that 33% of registered voters have invested in cryptocurrency at some point, while HarrisX polling found that 19% of U.S. voters currently own digital assets. Perhaps most significantly, Consensys data revealed that 92% of crypto owners planned to vote in 2024, suggesting high political engagement within this demographic.

The cryptocurrency industry backed its political engagement with substantial financial investment. According to Public Citizen, the sector contributed $119 million during the 2024 election cycle. This investment yielded impressive returns: 85% of congressional candidates supported by the crypto industry won their races, with approximately 270 "pro-crypto" candidates securing seats in the House and Senate.

Trump's Recognition of Crypto's Electoral Power

Bergquist witnessed this political evolution firsthand as cryptocurrency ownership expanded beyond early adopters to mainstream Americans seeking financial opportunities. "It was more than 20% of the people in the United States owning digital currency and wanting better financial opportunities for themselves. And he capitalized on that," Bergquist says, referring to Donald Trump's embrace of crypto during his 2024 campaign.

The transformation in Trump's position represents a broader shift in political attitudes toward digital assets. "Trump saw crypto as an opportunity, clearly, and came out in support of it. And so he was able to get the crypto vote, which is a big vote," Bergquist notes. This marked a dramatic reversal from Trump's first term, when he dismissed Bitcoin as a "scam."

The president's commitment to crypto has continued beyond campaign promises. "He seems to be following through on a lot of his ambitions related to his public statement around wanting to make the United States the crypto capital of the world," Bergquist observes. Trump's March 2025 executive order established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and appointed David Sacks as "Crypto and AI Czar," signaling sustained support for the industry.

The Demographics of Crypto Voters

The crypto voting bloc spans traditional political boundaries, though certain demographics show stronger engagement. The Digital Chamber survey found that 25% of Democrats and 21% of Republicans said a candidate's crypto stance could positively influence their voting decision.

Notably, 40% of Black voters cited crypto policies as important voting criteria, more than double the proportion of white voters expressing similar priorities. Younger Americans also demonstrate higher crypto engagement, with Bank of America data showing 28% of investors aged 21-43 see greater growth potential in digital assets compared to just 4% of those 44 and older.

The cryptocurrency community's political priorities center on regulatory clarity, with 59% of respondents in various surveys identifying this as the most critical issue for policymakers to address. This demand for clear rules reflects years of uncertainty that left businesses operating without definitive guidance on compliance requirements.

A "Gilded Age" for Cryptocurrency

Bergquist describes the current moment as unprecedented for the cryptocurrency industry. "One of our investors, whenever I talk to him on the phone, he always says, 'This is the gilded age of crypto,'" he shares. "We've been in this for 11 years, and this is the time for us to be able to really accelerate."

The CEO's perspective comes from experience navigating crypto's regulatory challenges since the beginning. "I've been a crypto entrepreneur for 10 years and this is the first time crypto regulation is a priority at the federal level," Bergquist explains. This represents a fundamental shift from the early days when crypto companies operated without clear federal guidance.

Coinme's growth trajectory illustrates the industry's broader evolution. The company has expanded from operating a handful of Bitcoin ATMs in Seattle to powering cryptocurrency services at over 40,000 locations nationwide through partnerships with Coinstar and MoneyGram. The company's achievement of $1 billion in transaction volume demonstrates growing mainstream adoption of crypto services.

Corporate Confidence and Market Response

The establishment of clear federal support for cryptocurrency has begun changing corporate behavior. Previously, many Fortune 1000 companies maintained a cautious "wait-and-see" approach to crypto integration, concerned about regulatory uncertainty. With federal backing now apparent, businesses are becoming more willing to explore digital asset capabilities.

The banking sector, which faced regulatory pressure to limit crypto exposure during the previous administration, shows renewed interest in blockchain technology. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's statements about using stablecoins to maintain dollar dominance reflect official recognition of crypto's potential role in preserving American financial leadership.

Future Implications

The emergence of crypto as a significant voting consideration suggests lasting changes in American political discourse. Unlike single-issue voting blocs that may fade with changing circumstances, cryptocurrency ownership represents a financial stake that motivates sustained political engagement.

Research firm HarrisX found that crypto ownership correlates with high voter turnout rates and political awareness. The demographic profile of crypto owners—younger, more educated, and technologically engaged—suggests this voting bloc will likely grow in influence over time.

For companies like Coinme, the regulatory clarity enables expansion of services that were previously constrained by uncertainty. The company's Crypto-as-a-Service platform allows traditional businesses to integrate digital asset capabilities without building infrastructure independently.

Mainstream Financial Integration

Bergquist sees the current political environment as accelerating cryptocurrency's integration into mainstream financial services. The combination of federal support, institutional adoption through exchange-traded funds, and growing consumer ownership creates conditions for the broader implementation of crypto capabilities.

The Strategic Bitcoin Reserve represents perhaps the strongest signal of governmental legitimacy for digital assets. By establishing bitcoin as a strategic asset comparable to gold reserves, policymakers acknowledge cryptocurrency's role in national financial strategy.

This recognition validates what crypto entrepreneurs like Bergquist have argued for years: digital assets represent technological advancement rather than speculation. With regulatory frameworks emerging and political support established, cryptocurrency appears positioned to fulfill its potential as infrastructure for financial innovation.

The transformation from Bergquist's early days of operating in regulatory gray areas to today's federal endorsement demonstrates how sustained advocacy and growing adoption can reshape political attitudes. The 26 million Americans comprising crypto's voting bloc represent not just electoral influence, but evidence of digital assets' evolution into mainstream financial tools.

Cryptocurrency