Why it Matters

FairShake is a Super PAC and Independent Expenditure-Only Committee registered with the Federal Election Commission on March 23, 2023. The PAC is designated as an unaffiliated committee focused on cryptocurrency and blockchain policy, backing candidates seen as supportive of the crypto industry and opposing those perceived as hostile to it.

The organization was launched in late 2023 and is primarily bankrolled by major players in the crypto and venture capital world, including Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Andreessen Horowitz. FairShake operates alongside two affiliated PACs — Defend American Jobs, which supports Republicans, and another targeting perceived industry opponents.

As of July 31, 2026, FairShake reported total receipts of $137.4 million and total disbursements of $88.7 million, with $113 million in cash on hand. The PAC transferred $65 million to affiliated committees during the cycle.

From the industry's perspective, the 2026 midterms represent an opportunity to cement nascent Trump-era gains and future-proof against a backslide into regulatory limbo.

The Center for Political Accountability warned in March 2026 that the crypto industry's massive political buildup creates a structural paradox: political success has not resolved the industry's underlying vulnerabilities, and FairShake holding nearly $200 million in cash on hand raises serious concerns about regulatory capture. Northwestern law professor Michael Kang argued that people with money are willing to run ads on whatever they need to achieve political outcomes, which usually is not the issue they are primarily focused on, and that people are worried about super PACs because they are not accountable, and as a result, their ads tend to be much more negative.

The banking industry has argued that the CLARITY Act would create loopholes that threatened the financial safety of state and local banks.

Direct Contributions

FairShake has not made direct contributions to candidate committees as of July 31, 2026. The Super PAC's political spending has instead focused entirely on independent expenditures in three Illinois races through its FEC filing.

Independent Expenditures Support

The PAC's entire political spending strategy in the 2026 cycle has centered on opposition activity rather than affirmative support. This targeting pattern reflects the organization's stated focus on opposing candidates perceived as hostile to the crypto industry.

Independent Expenditures Oppose

FairShake concentrated its independent expenditure spending on three Democratic candidates in Illinois. FairShake spent $10,000,409 in independent expenditures opposing Juliana Stratton, $2,479,136 opposing La Shawn Ford, and $817,066 opposing Robert Peters.

Donors

Detailed donor-level information is not available in the underlying data for this reporting period.

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