Americans headed to the polls Tuesday for the 2026 midterm elections, with all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats up for grabs in a vote that could reshape Congress and determine President Donald Trump’s ability to advance his legislative agenda during the final two years of his term.
More than 57 million Americans had cast ballots as of Monday, with early voting surpassing 2022 levels in several closely watched states, according to the Associated Press.
Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress, holding 53 Senate seats to 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them, along with a narrow advantage in the House. Democrats need a net gain of four Senate seats and three House seats to take control of the respective chambers.
The results could also influence the future of US cryptocurrency regulation, including the stalled CLARITY Act, and potentially intensify scrutiny of President Trump’s crypto ventures if Democrats gain control of either chamber. Last week, Reuters reported that Democratic lawmakers were preparing another round of investigations into potential conflicts of interest involving his family’s businesses.
Live election updates
Follow the latest developments in congressional races attracting crypto industry spending, election results and reactions from prediction markets. Updates appear in reverse chronological order.
Crypto super PACs spend millions to influence Congress
Crypto industry groups have spent approximately $176 million across more than 100 races during the 2026 election cycle, according to Reuters.
Fairshake, backed by Coinbase, Ripple and Andreessen Horowitz, has led the spending through its affiliated super PACs, Defend American Jobs and Protect Progress. In early October, the group announced support for 32 incumbent House candidates, including 19 Republicans and 13 Democrats, all of whom voted in favor of the CLARITY Act in 2025.
Other crypto-aligned groups include the Digital Freedom Fund, backed by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, the twin co-founders of crypto exchange Gemini, and Fellowship PAC, which has supported candidates from both parties.
Key crypto races to watch
The Blockchain Association’s election dashboard identifies 61 priority congressional races, including 18 Senate and 43 House contests, based on competitiveness, candidates’ crypto positions and membership on committees overseeing digital asset legislation.
Ohio Senate: Jon Husted vs Sherrod Brown
In Ohio, Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces Democrat Sherrod Brown, a longtime crypto critic, in a race that has attracted approximately $63 million in crypto industry spending. That includes about $56 million from Fairshake and $7 million from the Winklevoss-backed Digital Freedom Fund, with both groups spending to support Husted or oppose Brown.
Crypto advocacy group Stand With Crypto characterizes Brown as strongly opposed to cryptocurrency, citing 17 statements and his 2024 vote against overturning the SEC’s SAB 121 crypto custody accounting guidance.
Brown was also targeted by crypto industry spending in 2024, when Fairshake affiliate Defend American Jobs spent more than $40 million supporting Republican Bernie Moreno, who defeated Brown in that year’s Senate election.
Nebraska Senate: Pete Ricketts vs Dan Osborn
Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts faces independent challenger Dan Osborn in Nebraska, where crypto political action committee Fairshake had spent nearly $11 million supporting Ricketts, according to an Oct. 27 report by the Washington Examiner.
More recent spending data shows Fairshake-affiliated crypto super PAC Defend American Jobs spent approximately $13.5 million opposing Osborn, according to Federal Election Commission data compiled by Bankrolled as of Nov. 3.
Ricketts, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has supported cryptocurrency legislation including the CLARITY Act and GENIUS Act. He voted to advance the CLARITY Act out of committee in May and supported an unsuccessful Senate procedural vote on the legislation in September, according to crypto advocacy group Stand With Crypto.
Texas Senate: Ken Paxton vs James Talarico
In Texas, Republican Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico, with the Winklevoss-backed Digital Freedom Fund supporting Paxton, despite both candidates receiving A ratings from crypto advocacy group Stand With Crypto.
Paxton has called for the passage of the CLARITY Act, arguing that clear regulations are necessary to maintain US competitiveness in digital assets. In a June statement, he said the country must become the “crypto capital of the world” and support innovation and growth.
Talarico has similarly called for clear regulations that protect consumers while allowing innovation. As a Texas state representative, he also voted in 2025 to establish a state strategic Bitcoin reserve, according to legislative records cited by Stand With Crypto.
Wyoming Senate: Harriet Hageman vs James Byrd
In Wyoming, Republican Rep. Harriet…
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