Thomas Daniels
David Plouffe, the seasoned political strategist who previously advised former U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, has officially joined Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council. His appointment marks a significant addition to the cryptocurrency exchange’s growing roster of political and industry veterans as it navigates the evolving regulatory landscape.
Coinbase announced Plouffe’s appointment on Thursday, noting his extensive experience in both political campaigns and emerging financial technologies. Prior to his role with Harris, Plouffe also provided advisory services for blockchain payment platforms such as Alchemy Pay and major cryptocurrency exchange Binance, deepening his familiarity with the digital assets ecosystem.
At Coinbase’s recent State of Crypto Summit, Plouffe emphasized the nuanced role that crypto could play in the political sphere, stating, “It’s important to understand that someone who holds crypto or stablecoin, that might not be the most important issue to them voting.” He further explained that political candidates can leverage crypto as an entry point to broader economic discussions with voters who may be first-time participants in the political process.
Plouffe’s addition underscores Coinbase’s sustained efforts to solidify its political positioning as U.S. crypto regulation remains in flux. Since the 2024 election, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong has increasingly engaged with policymakers, including meetings with former President Donald Trump. Armstrong has voiced strong support for the GENIUS stablecoin legislation currently under consideration in Congress, underscoring the exchange’s proactive stance on shaping the future of digital asset regulation.
The Global Advisory Council has become a bipartisan forum, incorporating figures from both sides of the political aisle. Earlier this year, Trump’s 2024 co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, also joined the council, alongside former U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Pat Toomey. This diverse membership highlights Coinbase’s strategic approach to bipartisan dialogue as the crypto industry seeks regulatory clarity.
During Thursday’s event, Trump addressed the audience via a prerecorded message, outlining his administration’s commitment to the GENIUS Act and a forthcoming digital asset market structure bill. While neither piece of legislation has yet passed either chamber of Congress, the Senate is anticipated to vote on the stablecoin bill in the coming weeks, signaling the increasing urgency of regulatory developments in the digital asset space.
Plouffe’s involvement signals Coinbase’s intention to deepen its influence at the intersection of cryptocurrency, public policy, and electoral politics as the 2025 regulatory environment takes shape.
