Americans voted Tuesday in the 2026 US midterm elections, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats at stake. Republicans currently control both chambers, holding 53 Senate seats, while Democrats have 45 and two independents caucus with them. Democrats need a net gain of three House seats and four Senate seats to take control of each chamber.

The outcome could affect President Donald Trump’s ability to advance his agenda during the final two years of his term and influence the course of US cryptocurrency regulation. control of Congress may also shape the stalled CLARITY Act and the scrutiny of Trump’s crypto-related business interests. Reuters reported last week that Democratic lawmakers were preparing further investigations into potential conflicts involving his family’s businesses.

Crypto industry groups have spent about $176 million across more than 100 races during the election cycle, Reuters reported. Fairshake, backed by Coinbase, Ripple and Andreessen Horowitz, led the spending through affiliated super PACs. In early October, it said it would support 32 incumbent House candidates—19 Republicans and 13 Democrats—all of whom voted for the CLARITY Act in 2025. Other crypto-aligned groups include the Winklevoss-backed Digital Freedom Fund and Fellowship PAC, which has supported candidates from both parties.

The Blockchain Association identified 62 priority races: 18 Senate contests and 44 House races. Its dashboard considers factors including competitiveness, candidates’ views on crypto and their committee memberships.

In Ohio, Republican Sen. Jon Husted faces Democrat Sherrod Brown, a longtime crypto critic. The race has drawn about $63 million in crypto industry spending, including roughly $56 million from Fairshake and $7 million from the Digital Freedom Fund. Both groups have spent to support Husted or oppose Brown. Stand With Crypto cites 17 statements and Brown’s 2024 vote against overturning the SEC’s SAB 121 custody accounting guidance in describing his position as strongly opposed to cryptocurrency.

Nebraska’s Senate contest pits Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts against independent Dan Osborn. Fairshake had spent nearly $11 million supporting Ricketts by Oct. 27, according to the Washington Examiner. Federal Election Commission data compiled by Bankrolled showed that the Fairshake-affiliated Defend American Jobs spent about $13.5 million opposing Osborn as of Nov. 3. Ricketts, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has supported the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts.

In Texas, Republican Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico. The Digital Freedom Fund has backed Paxton, although both candidates have received A ratings from Stand With Crypto. Paxton has called for the CLARITY Act, saying clear rules would help preserve US competitiveness in digital assets. Talarico has also advocated clear regulation that protects consumers while allowing innovation, and voted in 2025 to create a state strategic Bitcoin reserve, according to legislative records cited by the advocacy group.

Wyoming voters are choosing between Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman and Democrat James Byrd for the seat being vacated by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who is not seeking reelection. Hageman supported the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts in 2025 and the FIT21 market structure bill in 2024, and cosponsored legislation to bar the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. Stand With Crypto lists no documented crypto position for Byrd.

In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is seeking reelection against Democrat Troy Jackson. Collins was one of four Republicans who opposed advancing the CLARITY Act in September, citing concerns about its effect on bank deposits. Jackson has called for clear crypto legislation and for ending the debanking of lawful crypto businesses, while protecting Americans’ ability to self-custody digital assets, according to Stand With Crypto.

Sources: Cointelegraph.