Defend Developers PAC has entered the crypto campaign finance field, focusing on protecting blockchain developers and DeFi builders in Washington.
Summary
- Defend Developers PAC has launched to support lawmakers who back crypto developers and DeFi builders.
- The PAC plans to raise and contribute more than six figures across key midterm races.
- Gavin Zavatone said the group wants Congress to protect blockchain technologists in the United States.
Defend Developers PAC said Wednesday that it plans to raise and contribute more than six figures across dozens of congressional races in the midterm election cycle. Gavin Zavatone, the PAC’s founder and policy lead at the DeFi Education Fund, said the group wants to support lawmakers who have already backed legal protections for crypto technologists.
New PAC focuses on crypto developers
The new committee enters a political landscape already shaped by crypto-funded groups, but Defend Developers plans to use a different model from that of the largest industry players. Zavatone said the PAC will direct its support toward incumbent lawmakers who have supported developers and decentralized finance projects.
According to Defend Developers, its campaign work will center on the legal treatment of software creators and builders in the blockchain sector. The group said crypto technologists need members of Congress who will defend their ability to build in the United States.
Federal campaign records show Defend Developers registered last month as a hybrid PAC. Under that structure, the committee can make direct contributions to candidates within federal limits and also spend unlimited amounts on independent political ads through a separate account.
Hybrid structure sets it apart
Zavatone said Defend Developers wants to build a political infrastructure funded by founders, builders, and executives with direct stakes in crypto policy. He said the PAC wants the United States to remain a strong place for blockchain development.
The PAC’s board includes members connected to Uniswap Labs, the DeFi Education Fund, and the Solana Policy Institute. Defend Developers has not yet disclosed how much money it has raised.
The group is not expected to match Fairshake, the leading crypto super PAC, which has spent heavily across congressional races. It also enters below mid-sized crypto political groups such as the Fellowship PAC, linked to Tether, and the Digital Freedom Fund, tied to the Winklevoss brothers, Tyler and Cameron.
Another industry-backed hybrid PAC, the Blockchain Leadership Fund, was launched by Anchorage Digital and Chainlink. Its structure shows that some crypto firms are using campaign vehicles that combine candidate contributions with independent spending.
Fairshake maintains strong election record
Fairshake remains the largest force in crypto campaign finance. The super PAC and its affiliates supported 11 candidates in Tuesday’s primaries across California, New Jersey, and South Dakota, and all of them advanced or won their races.
The supported candidates included nine Democratic House candidates in California, one Democratic House candidate in New Jersey, and Republican Senator Mike Rounds in South Dakota. Fairshake spent less than $476,000 on any single race this week, with the largest amount going to Representative George Whitesides.
Last week, Fairshake spent $6.5 million in Texas against veteran Democratic Representative Al Green, who lost his primary to Christian Menefee. The super PAC has also recorded losses, including in Illinois.
The November general election could affect control of Congress, with Democrats seeking to take at least one chamber. Crypto groups are therefore entering races where financial support could matter in close contests.
Defend Developers is starting smaller than Fairshake, but its stated focus gives the crypto industry another political channel. Zavatone said the PAC will use its resources to support lawmakers who defend developers, creators, and DeFi builders.
