Crypto Critic Maxine Waters’s New Primary Foe Got Over Two-Thirds of Money From Crypto

The Intercept
by Matt Sledge
April 18, 2026
4 views
3 min read

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Crypto industry funds challenger to Rep. Maxine Waters, a vocal critic, ahead of California's primary.

How This Affects You

This could influence future cryptocurrency regulations and financial policies, potentially affecting how average Americans interact with digital assets.

AI Summary

Nonprofit executive Myla Rahman, a challenger to Rep. Maxine Waters in California’s 43rd Congressional District, received over two-thirds of her campaign donations from the cryptocurrency industry. Rahman has taken 69 percent of her contributions from crypto figures, with her biggest single donor being Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse, who gave $6,600 last month. This funding supports Rahman's long-shot campaign against Waters, who is the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee and a strong proponent of tighter crypto oversight. The crypto industry aims to prevent Waters from becoming committee chair if Democrats win the midterm elections, pushing for passage of the Clarity Act. California’s primary election is scheduled for June 2.

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