Industry-Backed Spending Fails to Translate into Public Legitimacy

A concerning trend has emerged from a recent poll conducted by Public First on behalf of Politico. The survey found that 45% of Americans are hesitant to invest in cryptocurrency due to concerns over its riskiness.

This apprehension extends to artificial intelligence as well, with 44% believing that AI is advancing at an alarming rate. Nearly two-thirds of respondents want Congress to impose strict regulations or broad oversight on AI development.

The findings come amidst a surge in spending by industry-backed super PACs, particularly those focused on cryptocurrency and AI. Fairshake, the pro-crypto PAC backed by notable players like Coinbase and Ripple, has spent around $28 million across competitive primaries.

Leading the Future, the pro-AI group launched in August 2025, has raised over $75 million and deployed funds in key races. Combined, these groups have surpassed the $100 million mark, but their efforts may ultimately be hindered by the lack of public trust.