Kraken donates $2M to pro-crypto groups to defend self-custody, privacy, and innovation, joining major industry PACs shaping US regulation.
Author: Akshat Thakur
September 24, 2025 — The announcement that Kraken donates $2M to pro-crypto groups marks one of the most significant advocacy moves by a major exchange in 2025. The funds, split evenly between the Freedom Fund PAC and America First Digital, come as the exchange warns of mounting threats to user rights in the United States.
Kraken Co-CEO Arjun Sethi announced that the exchange will contribute $1 million each to Freedom Fund PAC and America First Digital. In his statement on X, he described the initiative as part of the “fight for crypto in the United States.”
Sethi stressed that the donations are principle-driven rather than party-driven, pointing to the defense of decentralized access, self-custody, and user privacy. However, both groups receiving funding are aligned with Republican-led initiatives, particularly the pro-Trump Freedom Fund PAC.
The move comes at a critical moment. In July, the GENIUS Act on stablecoins passed the House with bipartisan support, while the CLARITY Act advanced digital asset market structure rules. In the Senate, Senator Cynthia Lummis suggested that a broader digital asset bill could reach President Trump’s desk by year’s end.
By donating now, Kraken places itself at the center of the debate. The move reinforces its view that crypto freedoms are threatened by restrictive regulations and surveillance-driven policies.
Kraken’s decision follows a wave of funding by crypto advocacy groups. Fellowship PAC launched earlier this month with over $100 million. Fairshake PAC reported $141 million in assets to influence election campaigns. By comparison, Kraken’s $2 million contribution highlights the growing reliance on political funding to shape the rules of the digital economy.
Such efforts show the industry’s recognition that policy decisions in Washington will shape crypto’s future. These decisions will determine innovation, investment, and user rights.
The announcement that Kraken donates $2M to pro-crypto groups underscores a broader industry demand for clarity. Sethi noted that without proper frameworks, core rights could be at risk from the ability to self-custody assets to the use of privacy-preserving tools.
For crypto firms and investors, the outcome of these political efforts could determine whether the US fosters innovation or drives talent and capital offshore.
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