Ripple Legal Chief Argues Crypto Constituency Demands Political Weight

The National Cryptocurrency Association reports that one in four U.S. adults now owns digital assets, marking an addition of 12 million new holders over the past year. Alderoty, who serves as the association's president, contends that this data dismantles stereotypes of the typical crypto investor as a wealthy tech worker. Recent statistics show that 42% of new holders are women, and nearly one-quarter of the total base earns $75,000 or less per year, with a significant presence among construction and manufacturing workers.

This push for recognition coincides with the Senate’s stalled progress on the CLARITY Act, which faces an August 7 deadline. While the bill cleared the Senate Banking Committee in May, it remains caught in debates over anti-money laundering requirements and agency oversight. Despite industry spending reaching $189 million for the 2026 election cycle, public sentiment remains divided. Surveys from Politico and Public First suggest that crypto is not yet a top-tier priority for most voters, even as advocacy groups like Americans for Financial Reform push for bank-like regulatory standards. Alderoty maintains that regardless of specific polling on the bill, the sheer scale of the user base necessitates a move toward clear, established market guardrails.