The first debate of the US Presidential race will be held on August 23 in Milwaukee, featuring a group of Republican candidates who are the most crypto-friendly in US history. Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and political newcomer, is among the candidates who support cryptocurrency and has criticized his opponent, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, for his lack of knowledge about it. Ramaswamy has expressed a broad vision of a presidency that embraces Bitcoin's success while recognizing the complexities of crypto.

DeSantis has been a pro-crypto governor, enacting a law that established Florida's first regulatory framework for digital currencies and banning CBDCs in the state. The GOP has established criteria for the debate, requiring 1% support in three national polls and 40,000 individual donations to qualify. Several candidates, including Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, and Chris Christie, have qualified, as well as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who offered $20 gift cards to the first 50,000 donors.

However, former Vice President Mike Pence, who has strong polling numbers, has not yet met the donor threshold. The upcoming debate will feature pro-crypto GOP candidates.