Washington, DC, 20 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) – A new group of corporate powerbrokers is pouring money into America’s congressional elections, pushing US midterm election spending to record levels as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and online betting businesses seek a bigger voice in Washington.
The numbers are striking. Corporations have disclosed $517 million in spending to influence federal elections during the 2026 cycle, according to an analysis by consumer watchdog Public Citizen. That is already above the $461 million recorded across the whole 2024 election cycle, with the November vote still more than two months away.
Crypto money leads the surge
The biggest change is coming from industries that, until relatively recently, were minor players in national politics.
Crypto, AI, Big Tech and online betting companies have collectively contributed $294 million during the current cycle, Public Citizen found. That represents 57% of the $517 million in disclosed corporate political spending.
Crypto businesses account for $189 million of that total. Major contributors identified in the watchdog’s analysis include Ripple Labs, Coinbase and Crypto.com, while venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz has also emerged as a major source of political money.
Much of the cash is flowing through super PACs rather than directly to candidates. Fairshake, which backs candidates regarded as supportive of the crypto sector, has received $82.6 million in corporate crypto contributions, according to Public Citizen.
The pattern matters because Congress is making decisions that could determine how digital assets are regulated for years to come.
AI firms build political influence
Artificial intelligence is following a similar path.
Public Citizen calculated that AI and Big Tech companies have contributed around $60 million during the cycle, with $50.1 million going to Leading the Future, a political group focused on electing candidates supportive of AI development.
A separate analysis by Americans for Financial Reform shows how quickly that political operation has expanded. Eight major crypto and AI PACs raised $216.1 million between January 2025 and the end of June 2026.
By 28 July, those groups had spent more than $100 million trying to influence more than 70 congressional contests across 28 states.
The money is not simply following traditional Republican-versus-Democrat lines. Industry-focused groups can support or oppose candidates according to their positions on regulation, regardless of party.
Betting companies join Washington spending race
Online betting businesses have become another significant source of campaign money.
Public Citizen identified $45.6 million in corporate contributions from the sector, including $43 million directed to Win for America PAC.
That political push comes as betting and prediction markets become increasingly prominent in American elections. Reuters reported this week that $133 million had already been wagered on the 2026 midterms, surpassing the $92.4 million recorded during the entire 2024 congressional election cycle.
The industry’s growing financial and political
Comments
16 responses to “Crypto, AI, and Betting Companies Fuel Unprecedented Midterm Spending in Washington”
-
Isn’t it delightful to see crypto and AI firms making it rain in Washington? Who knew that digital coins and algorithms could buy more influence than a good ol’ bribe? 😏💸
-
Oh, fantastic! Nothing like watching crypto, AI, and betting firms throw cash around like confetti at a Euro trash party. Just what Washington needed—more folks eager to make a quick buck while we all pretend it’s for the greater good. 💰😏
-
Stellar move, eh? Who needs democracy when you’ve got crypto, AI, and betting firms throwing cash around like it’s a night out in Berlin? 💸🥳
-
Oh splendid, just what we needed—tech and betting companies pouring cash like it’s a pub on a Friday night! 🍻 Because nothing screams democracy quite like algorithms and odds determining our fate, eh?
-
Looks like Washington’s playing a high-stakes game of poker—only this time, it’s crypto chips and AI algorithms rather than just good ol’ American politics. Who knew that betting on democracy could be so lucrative? 🎰💰
-
Isn’t it just delightful how our beloved politicians are now more interested in crypto and AI than, say, actual governance? 🎩💸 You’d think they were betting on the next football match rather than the future of democracy!
-
Oh splendid! Nothing like a sprinkle of crypto and AI cash to spice up the political sausage fest in Washington, eh? 🎩💸 #MoneyMakesTheWorldGoRound
-
Seems like Washington has become the new Las Vegas—who knew that betting on democracy could be so lucrative? 🎰💰 I suppose it’s only fitting that when it comes to politics, the bigger the gamble, the higher the stakes, eh?
-
Isn’t it just splendid how crypto and AI are now the new darlings of political funding? You’d think they’d finally buy a few decent manners with all that cash floating around! 💸😏
-
Seems like the new political currency is no longer votes, but crypto, AI, and a good old bet – who needs democracy when you’ve got a super PAC? 💸 Gotta love how the American way now includes wagering on who’ll screw us over the least! 🍻
-
Looks like the tech whizzes and gambling gurus have finally cracked the code to winning elections – just throw money at it! 😂 Who knew all you needed was a sprinkle of crypto and a dash of AI to turn democracy into a party?
-
In a delightful twist of fate, we now have crypto, AI, and betting companies vying for political clout—who knew our elections could get even more like a high-stakes poker game? 🎲💸 Just what we needed, eh?
-
Seems like everyone’s cashing in on democracy these days—who knew that the future of politics would hinge on crypto, AI, and a cheeky flutter? It’s like placing bets on a horse race, except the horses are politicians and the odds are a bit, well, dodgy. 😂💸
-
Isn’t it just delightful to see our beloved cryptocurrency and AI companies flexing their wallets in Washington? Must be nice to have a few extra bucks lying around to buy a politician or two, eh? 💸😏
-
Looks like the big boys in crypto, AI, and betting are putting their chips on the table – who knew democracy could be so lucrative? 🤷♂️ Next stop: a casino on Capitol Hill! 🎰
-
So, let me get this straight—crypto, AI, and betting companies are now the new politicos in town? Who knew the best way to influence democracy was to throw cash like you’re at a roulette table? 🎰💸
-
Looks like the good ol’ American dream is now sponsored by crypto, AI, and betting—because who wouldn’t want their democracy infused with a dash of digital roulette? 🎰💸
Last News
Romanian Jet Intercepts Drone Near Offshore Gas Platform, President Points to Moscow
Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță stated on Facebook that Romania’s Coast Gu
Crypto, AI, and Betting Companies Fuel Unprecedented Midterm Spending in Washington
Washington, DC, 20 August (Brussles Morning Newspaper) – A new group of corporate powerbrokers is pouring money into America’s congressional elections, pushing US midterm election spending to record levels as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and online betting businesses seek a bigger voice in Washington.
The numbers are striking. Corporations have disclosed $517 million in spending to in
Naval Drone Near Neptun Deep Alerts EU
Romanian forces destroyed an explosive maritime drone close to a major Black Sea gas project as Brussels warned of an escalating campaign of hybrid threats.
Romania’s destruction of an explosive naval drone near the Neptun Deep gas development has brought the security of Europe’s Black Sea infrastructure into sharper focus. The incident on Thursday, 20 August, occurred only a few hundred metres
MEP Manon Aubry describes extremely rare viper bite as ‘unlucky’
Aubry mentioned on Thursday that she was “unlucky,” as France typically experiences about 150 similar venomous snake bites with only two serious cases annually.
“At the hospital where I was treated, they told me they hadn’t seen one in 10 years,” she recounted.
The 3
Over 900 KSA Members Depart Izegem for Lourdes Camp
Izegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Thursday, more than 900 people from the KSA Noordzeegouw organization have embarked on a nine-day camp in Lourdes, southern France, from the area of Izegem known as Bosmolens. They set off at around 5 p.m. in 14 buses from the Heilige-Familiekerk. The participants are going to Lourdes for the KSA Noordzeegouw camp from August 20 to 28.
Why are more than 9
World Humanitarian Day: EU Responds to Increasing Global Humanitarian Needs
August 19 is World Humanitarian Day, a time to honor the essential and tireless efforts of aid workers worldwide. During crises and conflicts, humanitarians are among the first responders, providing emergency aid to those in need.
EU’s Role as a Leading Humanitarian Donor
Numerous aid workers operate under the EU’s commitment to offer humanitarian assistance to those affected by man-made d
Heavy August Rain Takes Over as Summer Heat Ends in Belgium
Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment
Germany’s military has a new recruiting tool: Kebab wrappers
Germany is not the first European nation to reconsider its military recruitment efforts recently. In 2019, the British Army ran an advertising campaign targeting “snowflakes,” “selfie addicts,” and “phone zombies.” France began a nationwide multimedia recruitment effort i
The Latin Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception (1)
By Archbishop Nathanael (Lvov)
A. Merzlyukin’s book, recently published, delves into the Latin dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering extensive material. However, it has shortcomings, such as a challenging presentation and some significant historical errors, particularly at the onset. On page 16, the respected church historian Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, a
MEP Demands Clarity on Proposed Overhaul of EU’s ETS Scheme
The European Commission has proposed major adjustments to the EU’s influential Emission Trading System (ETS).
The ETS is the main scheme underpinning Europe’s carbon market.
The proposal aims to ensure that the revenues from carbon costs provide tangible results for Europe’s decarbonising industry.
The revision introduces a conditional allowance scheme that ties part of the free allocation to in
Leave a Reply