CoinDesk
A new hybrid political action committee called Defend Developers PAC has entered the crypto campaign-funding arena, with a specific focus on backing incumbent lawmakers who already support legal protections for crypto developers and DeFi projects. Founded by Gavin Zavatone, policy lead at the DeFi Education Fund, the PAC plans to raise and contribute more than six figures across dozens of key midterm races.
Why it matters
The PAC's arrival signals that the crypto industry's political infrastructure is maturing beyond a single dominant vehicle. While Fairshake remains the sector's dominant super PAC — having backed 11 candidates in Tuesday's primaries, all of whom won — Defend Developers takes a more targeted approach: rewarding proven allies rather than trying to unseat critics. Its board draws from Uniswap Labs, the DeFi Education Fund, and the Solana Policy Institute, giving it credibility across the DeFi ecosystem specifically. The Blockchain Leadership Fund, established by Anchorage Digital and Chainlink, is also a hybrid PAC, suggesting this structure is becoming a preferred tool for crypto political organizing.
Market impact
For DeFi protocols and their developers, a PAC explicitly focused on legal protection is a meaningful signal. Developer liability has been one of the most chilling regulatory threats hanging over the sector. With midterms approaching and control of at least one congressional chamber in play, the composition of the next Congress could determine whether DeFi-friendly legislation advances or stalls. Fairshake's 11-for-11 primary record this week underscores that crypto political spending is translating into electoral results.
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