Barry Moore

Rep. Barry Moore, the Republican nominee for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat, has reported receiving more campaign money from a powerful cryptocurrency group than any other member of Congress.

Since 2025, Moore has received more than $12 million from a super PAC tied to major cryptocurrency companies, according to federal records. So far, that’s millions more than other congressional candidates running this year.

As Congress prepares to vote on a major bill that would regulate the $2 trillion industry, crypto companies are pouring money into elections — and creating a new playbook for other industries that want to shape an agenda in Washington.

“He’s aligned himself with crypto,” said Rick Claypool, an analyst who has studied campaign finance and is critical of corporate elections spending.

Moore’s campaign did not comment for this article. But, in June a spokesman told AL.com that the congressman “supports President Trump’s goal of making America the crypto capital of the world.”.

Moore has voted for several bills that the crypto industry has prioritized in Congress, including the CLARITY Act, which would create federal regulations for cryptocurrency. That legislation, like Moore, got an endorsement from the president. It is now being considered by the Senate.

The congressman reported receiving the campaign donations from a PAC called Defend American Jobs, which is connected to the super PAC Fairshake. The parent PAC is primarily funded by millions from crypto’s biggest corporate supporters, including Ripple, Coinbase and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, according to filings.

Geoff Vetter is a spokesman for Fairshake, one of the largest PACs supporting crypto interests.

“America needs members of Congress who will work to lay out responsible guardrails on crypto to maintain our global leadership and protect consumers,” Vetter told AL.com.

“Our goal is to increase the number of members who understand and are willing to act on these issues in good faith.”

In a recent report, Claypool found that crypto, big tech and AI companies are spending more money than ever on federal elections. Historically, he said, companies might fund candidates across a particular party, but crypto contributions are much more targeted.

“This sort of corporate political spending is a blunt instrument,” Claypool told AL.com. “The purpose of it is pretty plain. They want the candidates, and those who ultimately win office, to think about their corporate sector before they think about their voters or constituents.”

Crypto support in Senate race

Michael Lowry, a Republican pollster who previously worked for U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama, said the industry’s support of Moore likely proved decisive in the primary.

“Republicans in Congress and Barry Moore especially have been pro-business, pro-growth, and have been supportive of policies that a lot of industries like crypto want,” Lowry said. “So they made sure their voice was heard.”

In his primary, Moore faced Republicans Jared Hudson and Steve Marshall, who criticized his ties to crypto.

Marshall made several statements in support of Trump’s digital assets agenda, but received a D rating from the industry group Stand with Crypto. One of his sins was that as Alabama’s attorney general, he did not join a lawsuit that opposed some of the Biden administration’s more restrictive crypto policies.

On the campaign trail, Marshall said that out-of-state billionaires were trying to influence the election.

“They hate that I can’t be bought or controlled,” he told supporters at a rally, according to 1819 News. “”If you want proof that we’ve been effective, just look at the millions of dollars they’re spending to attack me and prop up one of my opponents.”

At the same rally, Albertville businessman Tony Cochran called out Moore for being supported by out-of-state “crypto billionaires.”

Defend American Jobs paid for ads for Moore, but the spots rarely mentioned crypto. A March ad instead highlighted Moore’s background as a “soldier, husband, father” and an Alabama conservative.

“President Trump knows the Senate needs Barry Moore, giving Barry his complete and total endorsement,” the ad said.

In the crucial days before a runoff election, the organization poured more money into advertising and messaging, typically highlighting the Trump endorsement.

“Congressman Barry Moore will not let you down,” Trump said in an advertisement paid for by Defend American Jobs.

The PAC did not respond to a request for comment from AL.com.

Fairshake’s influence in 2026

Fairshake and its associated PACs have spent more than $65 million so far in 2026, according to federal records. They have an estimated $125 million still on hand for the general election, the records show.

In federal elections, support for Moore by Fairshake and its affiliate PACs stood out: He reported receiving far more money than other candidates.

Rep. Andy Barr, R-Kentucky, has reported receiving the second most, $7 million so far.

Fairshake has a PAC that supports Democratic candidates, too. Christian Menefee, a Texas district attorney running for the House seat currently held by Al Green, reported receiving $6.5 million from the PAC, called Protect Progress. Menefee won his primary race after he stated support for blockchain technology.

In Maryland, Adrian Boafo, the state delegate who is running for the U.S. House seat currently held by Democrat Steny Hoyer, received more than $5 million from Protect Progress.

The crypto industry has also spent a lot of money to oppose certain candidates it thinks will hurt its agenda, with mixed success.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, who is running for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat, faced more than $9 million in opposition spending by Fairshake — but she still won the Democratic primary.

Vetter, with Fairshake, said Moore’s primary was the group’s “biggest spend of the cycle.”

And he said the group is prepared to keep pushing for more of its favored candidates in Congress.

“With nearly $150 million cash on hand we are ready to continue driving the construction of the largest pro-crypto caucus in history.”