Summary:

A new poll finds most Americans remain skeptical of both crypto and AI.
45% say crypto investing isn't worth the risk, while 44% believe AI is moving too fast.
Industry-backed super PACs are spending tens of millions in the 2026 midterms.
Voters show a clear preference for candidates supporting stricter tech regulation.
Awareness of these PACs is still low, but potential backlash could grow as visibility increases.

A new survey reported by Politico highlights a growing gap between industry ambition and public sentiment. While crypto and AI companies are pouring money into the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, a large share of Americans still aren't convinced by either sector. According to the poll conducted by Public First for Politico, 45% of Americans believe investing in cryptocurrency isn't worth the risk. At the same time, 44% say artificial intelligence is developing too quickly. These numbers don't suggest outright rejection, but they do show hesitation.

The survey also found that nearly half of respondents trust traditional banks more than crypto platforms. For years, crypto positioned itself as an alternative to legacy finance. Yet when it comes to trust, many people still lean toward familiar systems. There's also a clear appetite for oversight. Around two-thirds of respondents said they want Congress to introduce strict regulations or broad guiding principles for AI. It reflects a demand for structure in technologies that are evolving faster than most people can follow. The report notes,

"Skepticism of the industries, those results suggest, could turn into voter backlash if Americans grow fed up with the heavy spending." Source

Super PAC Money Is Rising Fast

Despite the skepticism, funding from both industries is ramping up. Political action committees aligned with crypto and AI are becoming more active, and their spending is starting to shape primary races across multiple states. Fairshake, a pro-crypto PAC backed by major players like Coinbase and Ripple Labs, has already spent $28 million in competitive primaries. The group has focused on supporting candidates who align with a more favorable regulatory approach to digital assets. On the AI side, Leading the Future has raised over $75 million since launching in August 2025. Its funding has been deployed across states like North Carolina, Texas, Illinois, and New York, backing candidates who support more flexible AI policies.

Source

Both industries are also increasing their presence in Washington through lobbying. Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have reported record lobbying expenditures in early 2026. Meanwhile, the crypto sector is pushing for legislative clarity through proposals like the CLARITY Act, which aims to define how digital assets should be regulated in the U.S. There's precedent for this strategy working. In 2024, a Fairshake-affiliated PAC spent over $40 million helping defeat Sherrod Brown, a well-known critic of crypto. That result showed how targeted funding can shift political outcomes - at least in specific races. But the current environment feels different. The scale of spending is higher, and so is the level of public scrutiny.

Low Awareness, But Risk of Backlash

For now, most voters aren't fully aware of these industry-backed groups. The same poll found that only 9% of respondents had heard of Leading the Future, while just 3% recognized Fairshake. That lack of awareness gives these PACs room to operate quietly. Political observers quoted in the report suggest that once voters start connecting campaign funding to the industries behind it, reactions could shift quickly. If crypto and AI are already viewed with caution, heavy political spending could reinforce that skepticism rather than ease it. Former Ohio Representative Jim Renacci put it bluntly:

"I do think if they see somebody is backed by crypto, that's always going to be a problem." Source

That sentiment reflects a broader challenge both industries are facing. Building technology is one thing. Building trust is another. Crypto still carries the weight of past market volatility, scams, and regulatory uncertainty. AI, on the other hand, is moving so fast that many people feel left behind, unsure of where it's heading or how it might affect their lives. When these concerns intersect with politics, the stakes change.

Closing Thoughts

Crypto and AI are both trying to shape their regulatory future. That means engaging with policymakers, supporting candidates, and influencing legislation. But public sentiment can't be bypassed in that process. If voters remain cautious or become more vocal - it could limit how far industry-backed initiatives can go. On the other hand, if these sectors find ways to address concerns directly, the narrative could change over time. Right now, the data points to a simple reality that money is flowing into politics, but trust isn't keeping pace.