Vitalik Buterin differs from Mark Cuban over crypto's role in politics

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin posted a blog post against picking political alliances based on which side is pro-crypto. 

Buterin highlighted legislative efforts in the United States, such as Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) and Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA) in the European Union, have galvanized individuals in the crypto space to become more politically active. However, these efforts are antithetical to the crypto ethos. 

"There is a growing push within the crypto space to become more politically active, and favor political parties and candidates almost entirely on whether or not they are willing to be lenient and friendly to 'crypto,'" Buterin wrote in a July 17 blog post, adding, that "making decisions in this way carries a high risk of going against the values that brought you into the crypto space in the first place."

Buterin continues to say that simply choosing candidates who claim to be pro-crypto helps "to create an incentive gradient where politicians come to understand that all they need to get your support is to support 'crypto,'" even if the politician also supports legislative efforts that hamper the crypto ecosystem more broadly.

"All that politicians have to do is make sure it's easy for you to trade coins," Buterin said. 

Mark Cuban's differing opinion

Unlike Buterin, billionaire Mark Cuban thinks crypto will be the deciding factor in this year's presidential election in the United States. He even goes as far as to say current president and Democratic candidate Joe Biden could lose his bid for re-election due to his crypto policy. 

"I have said many times that Biden has to choose between Gensler or crypto voters or it could cost him the White House," Cuban stated on June 10. 

Cuban also noted that many voters will choose their candidate based on their crypto policy stances. "Crypto is a mainstay with younger and independent voters," said Cuban in early May. "Crypto voters will be heard this election."