The candidates for the Republican nomination for President of the United States will take the stage in Milwaukee on August 23 for the first debate of the presidential race. Barring unexpected developments, it is shaping up to be the most professional cryptographer in US history.

For now, Vivek Ramaswamy, an unlikely participant with no previous political experience, is among the most crypto-friendly. The biotech entrepreneur even accused his debate rival, famed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, of having a shallow understanding of cryptocurrency.

Vivek Ramaswamy: The Most Powerful Bitcoin Presidential Debate?

On CBS News interview In May, Ramaswamy presented a comprehensive vision of a presidency to outperform Bitcoin.

“A thriving Bitcoin world should better enable me to do what I want to do as President of the United States. (ie) stabilize the US dollar as a unit of measure and put the Federal Reserve back in place with that as its sole mandate.

According to the same CBS News story, Ramaswamy put an end to years of legal wrangling by explicitly declaring that Bitcoin is not a security. Its designation as such has been at the center of fierce legal battles between the SEC and the likes of Ripple and Coinbase.

In addition to the bullish rhetoric, Ramaswamy has been accepting donations in Bitcoin since May this year.

However, the tech guru is not a blind cryptocurrency fan. In a podcast episode available on the campaign’s website, Ramaswamy acknowledges the complexities of encryption. Including how North Korea used digital currency to fund its ballistic missile program.

However, Ramaswamy’s close association with financial technology and digital innovation is a promising sign. One that might endear him to savvy investors tired of the tone of guidance under Gary Gensler’s SEC.

DeSantis Brands itself as Pro-Crypto

On the other hand, Governor DeSantis was a pro-crypto executive from the governor’s mansion. In June 2021, he signed a bill creating Florida’s first regulatory framework for digital currencies.

With a single stroke of the pen, the famous governor made Florida one of the most crypto-friendly states in the union.

In a June 24 failed Twitter space announcing his candidacy, DeSantis said, “The current system is clearly out of Bitcoin.” He went on to say that if the Biden administration had four more years to go, “they’ll probably end up killing it.”

The governor continued:

“I don’t have the itch to control everything people might do in this space…. Bitcoin is a threat to them. They are trying to drive it out of existence.”

DeSantis has also been an outspoken opponent of CBD, even passing a law banning it in the state of Florida.

Then there’s the elephant in the hall, de facto party leader and former President Donald Trump. It would be difficult to name a more divided figure in American politics. And this is true in the specific context of cryptocurrencies.

The 77-year-old has had a mixed relationship with cryptocurrencies in the past. He previously criticized the technology, saying it is not “real money” and its value is based in a “vacuum”.

However, in his post-presidential career, he launched a controversial collection of Trump-themed NFTs.

It is not clear if Trump will participate in the debate. NBC News a report Suggest he might sit on it nicely. With such a high lead in the polls, it appears to have little effect on his chances of winning the nomination.

Trump generally has a pro-business stance. But, as with his previous outings, he has so far announced very few actual policies.

Former Vice President Pence may not discuss

This cycle, the Republican National Committee implemented new debate standards to prevent a repeat of the chaotic 2016 debates. Senior party members set rules requiring 1% support in three national polls and 40,000 individual donations.

So far, along with Ramaswamy, DeSantis, and Trump, those eligible include former ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

according to Multiple reportsNorth Dakota Governor Doug Burgum also made the cuts after offering $20 gift cards to the first 50,000 donors.

Among the famous figures in American politics, the odd man out is former Vice President Mike Pence. He has relatively strong poll numbers, but has not yet met the donor limit.