Vice President Kamala Harris recently became the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States after the incumbent, Joe Biden, suddenly announced he was exiting the race. With her rise to the top of the party ticket, crypto experts and observers have been speculating how a potential Harris regime might differ from the Biden Administration’s antagonistic approach to crypto. 

However, reports suggest Harris may be ready to carry on Biden’s hostility toward the crypto industry. Bitcoin Magazine CEO David Bailey revealed recently that Harris privately referred to Bitcoin as “money for criminals.” Bailey’s revelation comes as the VP declined to appear at the upcoming Bitcoin Conference following talks with the event’s organizers — further dampening hopes of her softening her stance on crypto-related regulation.

Kamala Harris Bashes Bitcoin

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris has yet to publicly comment on cryptocurrencies or her strategy for the fast-growing industry. But privately, she has reportedly voiced skepticism about the premier cryptocurrency.

In a July 24 post, the CEO of Bitcoin Magazine, David Bailey, accused Harris of screwing the crypto sector over the last four years and conspiring with Securities and Exchange Commission chief Gary Gensler and Senator Elizabeth Warren to enact anti-crypto policies like Operation Choke Point.

The United States, under Biden’s leadership, has imprisoned innocent crypto developers, launched an attack on Proof-of-Work, and pushed the industry abroad. Following these actions, Bailey claims Harris cannot now claim to support Bitcoin.

“Major democrat donor told me Kamala [said] privately “Bitcoin is money for criminals,” he postulated.

Harris Skips Bitcoin Conference

As ZyCrypto reported previously, Harris’ campaign was in talks with the organizers of the much–anticipated Nashville Bitcoin Conference to join the lineup boasting high-profile figures like the former commander-in-chief and Republican standard-bearer, Donald J. Trump.

However, Bailey later confirmed that Harris ultimately declined to appear at the event. He said her absence was not surprising, explaining that it indicates the ongoing uneasiness between the current government and the crypto community regarding regulatory approaches.

Meanwhile, Trump’s stance contrasts sharply with the Biden administration. He has pledged to end what he terms “Joe Biden’s war on crypto”, with his pro-crypto statements drawing moneyed crypto supporters and donors to the Republican camp. 

The ex-POTUS is set to speak at the Bitcoin Conference this coming Saturday. Bitcoin adherents are eagerly awaiting what he might say during his 30-minute speech; there is talk that he’ll announce plans to elevate Bitcoin to the status of a U.S. strategic reserve.