Networks

A coordinated network of crypto-funded super PACs working to shape cryptocurrency and blockchain policy, and among the best-funded political operations of the cycle. FairShake is the lead committee, distributing funds to the conservative-focused Defend American Jobs and the progressive-focused Protect Progress. All three draw on the same core donor base — chiefly Coinbase, Ripple, and Andreessen Horowitz. The party-split structure lets the network back candidates in both parties’ primaries while casting itself as nonpartisan, though its spending has leaned toward Republicans. It concentrates on independent expenditures, funding ads to boost crypto-friendly candidates and oppose those seen as hostile to the industry — ads that typically make no mention of cryptocurrency. An affiliated dark money group, the Cedar Innovation Foundation, is not required to disclose its donors.

A coordinated network of AI-industry super PACs working to head off stricter AI regulation, chiefly by pushing a single federal framework that would override stronger state-level rules on issues like consumer protection and liability. Leading the Future is the lead committee, channeling money to the Democratic-facing Think Big and the Republican-facing American Mission. All draw on the same core backers — chiefly Andreessen Horowitz, and OpenAI president Greg Brockman and his wife. Explicitly modeled on the crypto industry’s FairShake network — and sharing a strategist with it — its party-split structure lets the network back pro-AI candidates in both parties while opposing those who favor stronger oversight. Layering money through these committees, and through an affiliated 501(c)(4), Build American AI, that is not required to disclose its donors, obscures the original source of the funds.

A super PAC network that claims to be pushing for stronger AI regulation and safety guardrails, founded in response to the Leading the Future network. The lead committee, Public First, operates alongside the Democratic-focused Jobs and Democracy PAC (led by former Oklahama Democratic Representative Brad Carson) and the Republican-focused Defending Our Values (led by former Utah Republican Representative Chris Stewart). All are affiliated with Public First Action, a 501(c)(4) dark money group that is not required to disclose its donors. The network is funded chiefly by the AI company Anthropic. Despite its claims about “AI safety” and the public interest, critics have suggested that Anthropic is pushing policies that would benefit its business.

A pro-bitcoin advocacy and lobbying network built around the Bitcoin Policy Institute think tank and two affiliated 501(c)(4)s, the Blockchain Innovation Project and BPI Action. Fronted by former Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH) and David McIntosh (R-IN), it casts its agenda as a defense of the industry against political forces it says want to “destroy” it.