The political action committee Defend American Jobs, backed by major cryptocurrency companies, has spent millions on media and advertising in support of Barry Moore in the second round of Alabama’s Republican primary. According to Federal Election Commission records, as of Tuesday, the committee has spent over $4.7 million on Moore’s bid for the US Senate.
Crypto emerges as a decisive force in Alabama’s Senate race
This figure adds to the $7.4 million in spending announced by the committee ahead of the May 20 primary. Running to represent Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, Barry Moore has also secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. Moore’s opponent, Jared Hudson, remains a rival within the Republican Party, keeping the primary contest intense.
The race for this crucial Senate seat became competitive after incumbent Tommy Tuberville declared he would not seek re-election, shifting his attention to the Alabama governor’s race instead. As a result, the state’s Republican contest has attracted close attention—not only for its implications within party ranks but also for the growing political influence of the crypto industry.
The advocacy group Stand With Crypto, which is affiliated with Coinbase, has labeled Barry Moore a “strong supporter” of crypto policy, classifying Jared Hudson as “neutral.” This assessment reportedly draws on public statements and Moore’s voting history.
Support for Moore extends beyond a single PAC
Jared Hudson, acknowledging in public statements that he lacks significant backing from major crypto circles, nevertheless voiced his support for the cryptocurrency market structure bill currently on the Senate agenda. This highlights that the candidates’ relationships with the sector defy simple categorization.
Defend American Jobs is not the only group supporting Moore. The Blockchain Leadership Fund, a hybrid PAC backed by Anchorage Digital and Chainlink, also announced its support in May. However, as of Tuesday, Federal Election Commission records showed no associated expenditure. Separately, Fellowship PAC, funded by Cantor Fitzgerald and Anchorage, reported spending $350,000 to back Moore.
Committees linked to the broader Fairshake ecosystem have also looked beyond Alabama, pouring millions into media buys for candidates in Texas and California primaries. In the coming weeks, around $5 million and $500,000 in support are reportedly planned for Democrat candidates Adrian Boafo and Ritchie Torres in Maryland’s and New York’s House races, respectively.
Senate balance could shape crypto regulation trajectory
As of January, Fairshake reported a war chest of $193 million, with the stated aim of backing crypto-friendly leaders and opposing crypto-skeptic politicians through media and advertising campaigns.
The prevailing balance of power in Congress directly impacts the progress of crypto-related bills. Republicans currently hold a slim majority in both the House and Senate, which is significant not only for setting the legislative agenda but also for the fate of industry-defining proposals like the CLARITY Act.
Mini glossary: The CLARITY Act is a US bill aiming to clarify which federal agency will oversee digital assets. The bill stands out for provisions on token classification and the distribution of authority over market structure.
The bill cleared the House in July 2025, but has faced delays in the Senate over debates on stablecoin rewards, ethics guidelines, and tokenized equities. This underscores why the Alabama race and others like it may influence not only who holds office but also the direction of US crypto regulation.
