A recent poll conducted by the HarrisX Public Policy Research Team and the Blockchain Association sheds light on how American voters perceive the SEC’s approach to regulating the cryptocurrency industry as elections approach. The survey, conducted from October 25-28 among 1,717 registered voters, indicates that a significant majority of Americans favor clear regulatory guidelines over enforcement actions.
Interestingly, 81% of respondents believe more educational resources regarding digital assets’ risks and benefits should be provided by the government. Additionally, two-thirds (66%) of voters feel the SEC should await clearer congressional guidelines before taking enforcement actions.
Furthermore, 61% of voters perceive the SEC’s enforcement actions as being inconsistently applied. Although Congress has yet to finalize crypto-focused legislation, there’s criticism surrounding SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s handling of the issue, particularly regarding confusion over which crypto assets qualify as securities.
Moreover, 54% of voters think that the SEC’s current approach may be causing blockchain developers to relocate outside the U.S. This sentiment reflects concerns about the negative impact of the SEC’s actions on innovation within the sector. The poll reveals that voters increasingly favor candidates who advocate for digital asset innovation, indicating that pro-crypto positions could garner significant electoral support.
Lastly, the SEC has undertaken 104 enforcement actions against the digital asset sector under Gensler’s tenure, costing firms approximately $426 million in legal defensive measures.
