Coinbase’s $25 Million Political Donation Sparks Controversy

Coinbase's recent $25 million donation to Fairshake PAC has sparked controversy, as crypto researcher Molly White argues it contravenes pay-to-play laws applicable to federal contractors.

White claims that since Coinbase is a contractor with the U.S. Marshals Service, it should refrain from making political contributions. In response, Coinbase’s Chief Legal Officer, Paul Grewal, has labeled these allegations as misinformation.

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced the donation on X, indicating that the goal is to bolster cryptocurrency representation in Congress and foster a supportive regulatory environment for U.S. crypto enterprises. He emphasized the PAC’s bipartisan approach, aiming to cultivate a pro-crypto agenda as the 2026 midterm elections draw near.

The donation has raised questions concerning compliance with the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), which bars federal contractors from political contributions. White pointed out that Coinbase has contributed a total of $50 million to political causes, which could breach federal campaign finance regulations given its contract with the U.S. Marshals Service, valued at $32.5 million.

In defense, Grewal rejected White’s claims, arguing they misrepresent the situation. He highlighted that this is not the first time White has scrutinized Coinbase’s political donations, referencing a previous FECA complaint filed by her in August regarding a similar contribution. Grewal cautioned that perpetuating false narratives, especially after prior warnings, is ill-advised.