This year alone, cryptocurrency companies have spent over $119 million on pro-crypto candidates in federal races across the country. That’s almost half of all corporate money spent on this year’s election.
But can all this crypto money really sway elections?
“The crypto industry views this election as an existential threat, frankly,” said Lee Reiners, crypto policy expert at the Duke Financial Economics Center. “And I think that is proven by the amount of money that they are pouring into this cycle.”
On the show today, Reiners explains what the crypto industry is hoping to accomplish with its election spending, the myth behind the “crypto-vote” and why former President Donald Trump is vying to become the “crypto-president.”
Then, we’ll get into the U.S. government’s big penny problem. And, biotech and pharmaceutical real estate has fallen out of fashion. It’s adding to commercial real estate’s growing vacancy dilemma.
Later, Boeing’s history in the spaceflight sector, and more to celebrate as the Paralympics continue. Plus, this week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question comes from a listener who’s heard a lot of Marketplace radio credits.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
- “Crypto firms have spent more than $119 million on 2024 elections” from Marketplace
- “Crypto’s ‘huge moment’ scrambling US politics” from Politico
- “Why Republicans are embracing bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies” from Marketplace
- “How Crypto Money Is Poised to Influence the Election” from The New York Times
- “Harris triggers crypto tug-of-war between Democrats” from Politico
- “America Must Free Itself from the Tyranny of the Penny” from The New York Times
- “This Once Hot Real-Estate Type Is Now Being Offered as Office Space” from The Wall Street Journal
We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question. Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART or email us at makemesmart@marketplace.org.
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