According to ShibDaily, Bernie Moreno, a Republican businessman and cryptocurrency advocate, has secured a position on the Senate Banking Committee following his victory over incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown in the November elections. Senate Majority Leader-elect John Thune announced on December 20 that Moreno will join several key Senate committees, including the Senate Banking Committee, the Senate Budget Committee, the Senate Commerce Committee, and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Moreno's role on the Senate Banking Committee is expected to significantly influence U.S. economic policies, particularly in areas concerning the cryptocurrency market, stablecoin regulation, and the potential establishment of a national Bitcoin reserve. He will serve alongside Senator Cynthia Lummis, a known pro-Bitcoin advocate, who recently proposed allowing the Federal Reserve to include Bitcoin in its reserve assets. Moreno is set to assume office on January 3, 2025.
Moreno's campaign received substantial support from the cryptocurrency industry, with pro-crypto political action committees (PACs) providing significant financial backing to unseat Senator Brown. The Fairshake super PAC, supported by major crypto companies, notably contributed approximately $41 million to Moreno's campaign. Moreno defeated Brown by a margin of 200,000 votes. Known for his vocal support of digital assets, Moreno has garnered considerable backing from the cryptocurrency community. In response to the Senate Banking Committee's decision to halt the nomination of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, Moreno expressed satisfaction over the failure of what he described as a last-minute attempt by Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren to influence the SEC with anti-crypto figures. Moreno's new position provides a platform to advocate for clearer regulations that could promote innovation and growth within the cryptocurrency sector. His election is indicative of a broader trend of pro-crypto candidates gaining momentum and securing positions in Congress.
