TLDR
- Ripple executive chairman Chris Larsen has reported more than $22.5 million in political contributions during the 2026 election cycle.
- Larsen contributed $57,800 to Abdul for the Michigan Victory Fund and $18,500 to the Ohio Grassroots Victory Fund.
- His renewable energy spending includes $6 million donated to Invest in Tomorrow Coalition.
- Larsen contributed $4.5 million to You Can Push Back, a political group supporting artificial intelligence safety measures.
- Ripple has donated approximately $49.6 million this election cycle, including major contributions to Fairshake.
Ripple executive chairman Chris Larsen says his political donations have topped $22.5 million ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections. Reuters counted at least $14.6 million in disclosed giving, using a different method to track contributions. His political priorities span renewable energy, artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency regulation.
Chris Larsen Funds Democrats and Issue Groups
Federal records show Larsen gave $57,800 to Abdul for Michigan Victory Fund and $18,500 to Ohio Grassroots Victory Fund on September 30. The committees raise money for Democratic candidates and party organizations, including Senate hopefuls Abdul El-Sayed and Sherrod Brown.
Larsen donated $6 million to Invest in Tomorrow Coalition, which backs candidates supporting renewable energy incentives. He also gave $4.5 million to You Can Push Back, an artificial intelligence safety group. Those contributions come amid rising AI investment.
Other donations include support for California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy committee. Federal records also list a $3,000 contribution to Republican Representative Jay Obernolte, although most of Larsen’s reported giving supports Democratic or issue-based groups.
Ripple Backs Crypto Political Committees
Ripple, the payments company Larsen co-founded, has contributed about $49.6 million this election cycle. The figure places it among the largest corporate political donors. About $48.5 million went to Fairshake, a super PAC funded by cryptocurrency businesses.
Outside election funding, Ripple and Robinhood plan an RLUSD launch for retail customers before year-end. The stablecoin project is separate from the company’s political spending, which supports candidates from both major parties who favor digital asset legislation.
Fairshake has transferred $139 million to affiliated groups. Defend American Jobs, which backs Republican candidates, received $106 million. Protect Progress, which supports Democrats, received $33 million. Both groups campaign on cryptocurrency-related policy positions.
Ohio Senate Contest Exposes Funding Split
Fairshake announced a $30 million effort opposing Democratic Senate candidate Sherrod Brown after the CLARITY Act stalled. Larsen responded by backing Brown with $4 million. “It was a really poor decision,” he said of Fairshake’s move.
The stalled legislation sought federal rules for digital assets. Separately, an OKX and ICE tokenized stock proposal faces objections from listed companies. Both matters concern the rules governing blockchain-based financial products in the United States.
The 50 largest midterm donors have given about $2.77 billion. Roughly $1.67 billion went to Republican-leaning causes and $832 million to Democratic-leaning causes. Crypto-linked donors have contributed more than $176 million ahead of the elections.
