Ripple Donates $25M to Fairshake PAC Ahead of 2026 US Elections

Ripple, one of the leading blockchain payment firms, has once again reinforced its political influence by contributing an additional $25 million to the political action committee (PAC) Fairshake. This latest donation, announced by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse on November 26 via an X post, is aimed at supporting the election of “pro-crypto, pro-growth, and pro-innovation” candidates in upcoming US elections.

Ripple's contribution comes on the heels of its $45 million donation ahead of the 2024 elections, making the company one of Fairshake’s largest backers. Other major supporters of the PAC include cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, Jump Crypto, and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

Fairshake PAC’s Growing Influence in US Politics

A representative from Fairshake confirmed to Cointelegraph that the PAC currently has approximately $103 million in its funds, designated for use in the 2026 US election cycle. Fairshake has become one of the largest spenders during the 2024 primaries and general elections, backing candidates who support pro-crypto policies. According to the PAC, two-thirds of the candidates elected to Congress in 2024 are considered favorable to cryptocurrency interests.

Fairshake asserts that it supports candidates from both major political parties, focusing on those who back the crypto industry’s growth. Despite this bipartisan approach, the 2024 US election saw the Republican Party emerge with control of the presidency, Senate, and House of Representatives—a trifecta not seen since 2017.

The Impact of Republican Control on Crypto Legislation

With the Republicans in control, attention now turns to the potential influence this shift in power could have on future crypto-related legislation. Experts speculate that the next Congress might prioritize important bills, such as the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act and stablecoin legislation, both of which could shape the crypto landscape in the coming years.

Fairshake’s efforts in the 2025 and 2026 election cycles may be heavily influenced by how the new Congress approaches crypto regulation. Notably, the PAC had set its sights on the 2024 Ohio Senate race, where it aimed to unseat Sherrod Brown, the Democratic chair of the Senate Banking Committee and a known crypto skeptic.

Ripple’s Political Contributions: A Divided Approach

During the 2024 election cycle, Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse did not directly contribute to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign or to pro-Trump PACs, although he expressed support for the Republican candidate, stating that Trump would “make crypto great again” in the US.

In contrast, Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen took a different approach, contributing $12 million to PACs that supported the re-election of Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Looking ahead, the next US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 Senate seats will be up for election, and crypto industry players like Ripple will likely continue to play an influential role in shaping the political landscape as it relates to blockchain and digital assets.