Crypto-backed candidate wins Colorado Democratic primary

• Democratic candidate Manny Rutinel won Colorado's 8th Congressional District primary after receiving support from a crypto-backed political action committee.
• The You Can Push Back Super PAC spent about US$1 million supporting Rutinel and is backed by US$3.5 million from Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen.
• The result comes as cryptocurrency political spending and its influence on US elections continue to attract increased public and regulatory scrutiny.

Manny Rutinel won the Democratic primary for Colorado's 8th Congressional District with 61.7% of the vote, advancing to the November election after receiving support from a cryptocurrency-backed political action committee.

The You Can Push Back Super PAC reportedly spent about US$1 million on media supporting Rutinel's campaign and is backed by US$3.5 million from Ripple Labs co-founder Chris Larsen.

Coinbase-affiliated Stand With Crypto rates Rutinel as "strongly supports crypto" based on his responses to questions covering stablecoins, market structure and cryptocurrency regulation.

Public Citizen reported the cryptocurrency industry has spent about US$189 million on political contributions during the 2026 US election cycle, largely through political action committees supporting candidates viewed as favourable to digital assets.

The result comes as lawmakers continue debating cryptocurrency legislation, including efforts by Senate leaders to advance the CLARITY Act.

A poll commissioned by Americans for Financial Reform found most Democrats, Republicans and Independents are concerned about the cryptocurrency industry's influence on US lawmakers and support stronger regulation of the sector.

The White House said neither US President Donald Trump nor his family has engaged, or will engage, in conflicts of interest following reports highlighting profits from cryptocurrency-related investments.