Crypto and AI Industries Pour Millions Into Midterms as New Poll Reveals Backlash Risk

A new survey finds 45% of Americans say investing in cryptocurrency is not worth the risk, while 44% say artificial intelligence (AI) is developing too quickly.

This sentiment leaves candidates relying on crypto and AI super PAC dollars in a difficult position.

Industry Spending Meets Voter Skepticism

The poll also found that nearly 50% of respondents trust traditional banks more than crypto platforms. In addition, roughly two-thirds want lawmakers to impose strict regulations or broad oversight on AI.

Close to half of poll respondents believe AI will wipe out more jobs than it produces. A 43% plurality says its risks outweigh its rewards.

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The findings land as Fairshake, the pro-crypto super PAC primarily funded by Coinbase, Andreessen Horowitz, and Ripple Labs, has spent $28 million on competitive 2026 primaries, according to Politico. Pro-AI PAC Leading the Future has raised more than $75 million since launching last August.

“The results raise an emerging challenge for the industries as their aligned super PACs seek to translate financial might into political influence. Several of these groups are already becoming the most dominant players on the political battlefield, spending heavily for candidates on both sides of the aisle and in some cases rivaling the fundraising of long-established party groups,” the report read.

The resistance to crypto and AI super PACs may stem from a wider public mood, Politico observed. Some 41% of poll respondents view special interest groups as wielding excessive political weight. Just 23% call their role balanced, while 12% say they carry too little sway.

“Skepticism of the industries, those results suggest, could turn into voter backlash if Americans grow fed up with the heavy spending,” Politico added.

In hypothetical matchups, respondents were less likely to back candidates supported by groups pushing looser AI regulations than those backed by groups calling for tighter tech rules. 

Those surveyed also showed stronger support for groups advocating climate policy. Whether voter skepticism translates into ballot-box pressure remains to be seen. 

The findings come from the Politico Poll, conducted by Public First. The survey drew responses from 2,035 American adults between April 11 and 14. Its overall margin of error is ±2.2 percentage points, while smaller subgroups have larger margins.

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