'A New Way Forward': Harris-Walz Economic Plan Includes Digital Assets

Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have released the outline of how they will boost the economy should they win the November elections, and notably, the economic playbook mentions digital assets.

The 80-page plan published Wednesday on the Democratic presidential nominee’s campaign website provides an in-depth look at the duo’s vision for the U.S. economy, including their plans for manufacturing, taxes, and the cryptocurrency industry, albeit on a less-detailed scale.

A Plan Designed to Keep US Edge In ‘Industries of the Future’

The Harris-Walz economic playbook is titled A New Way Forward for the Middle Class: A Plan to Lower Costs and Create and Opportunity Economy.” Somewhere in the middle, the Democratic duo outlined how they will “sharpen America’s edge in sectors that are critical for our economic and national security.”

The presidential and vice-presidential candidates floated an “America Forward strategy” that should trigger a new era in American industry by encouraging growth in manufacturing and deploying new technologies.

The said strategy will focus not just on “clean iron and steel” but also on “emerging technologies” that they believe are essential to maintain a future where the United States remains competitive in the global technological space.

“Their strategy includes both investing in emerging technologies and modernizing traditional industries. It will also encourage innovative technologies like AI and digital assets while protecting our consumers and investors,” the playbook noted.

Digital assets were mentioned once throughout the plan, and there were no further details about how exactly Harris and Walz are planning to encourage crypto technology. There were also no specific details about the extent of investments a Harris-Walz administration will pour into the emerging industry.

Backing First Ever Statements on Crypto?

The economic playbook’s mention of digital assets is very much the same as Kamala’s comments when she publicly spoke about crypto for the first time during a fundraiser in Manhattan a few days back.

She promised to encourage innovative technologies, including digital assets while ensuring consumer protection. She also said she will unite key players and huge investors to “invest in America’s competitiveness, to invest in America’s future.”

Her comments then drew mixed reactions from cryptocurrency users.

Crypto Community Demands More Details

On The Chain podcast co-founder Chip commented on the economic plan, saying Harris and Walz should be more specific on how they will actually “encourage” innovative technologies. He said Kamala’s statements then and now were “definitely something [U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary] Gensler would say.”

Ripple Payments software engineer Neil Hartner had similar thoughts, saying the use of digital assets on the Harris-Walz economic plan were “sufficiently ambiguous.”

Multiple other crypto users and enthusiasts shared the same sentiments regarding the lack of clarity in the Democratic frontrunners’ plan for the digital assets space.

Others Give Harris a Chance

On the other hand, other crypto advocates believe Harris has made progress in her positions toward emerging technologies. Prominent analyst Adam Cochran noted how, on Wednesday, Harris mentioned “blockchain” in the list of innovative technologies that she believes the U.S. should remain “dominant” in.

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, said the mention of digital assets in the Harris-Walz economic plan is “an encouraging step forward.”

It remains to be seen whether Harris or Walz will soon talk in more detail about their plans for blockchain, digital assets, and more specifically, crypto, but with less than two months left before the elections, most crypto voters are asking for a clear and targeted stance.