Simply put
- Joe Sciarrizzi, an Ethereum developer critical of Trump, is running for the Virginia State Assembly as a Democrat.
- He believes cryptocurrencies should prioritize public interest over political gain.
- Sciarrizzi has criticized pro-crypto lawmakers for being opportunistic and insincere regarding crypto technology.
November’s midterm elections are expected to introduce new lawmakers to Washington, including the nation’s first cryptocurrency developer-turned-congressman.
Joe Schiarizzi, a long-time Ethereum developer, launched his campaign recently as a Democratic candidate in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. He’s running for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, which may become a real electoral district following a statewide ballot initiative.
After President Trump’s return to office last year, Schiarizzi represents a new wave of crypto candidates in Washington. He’s vocal about his opposition to the president and brings firsthand experience in creating decentralized tools currently under discussion in Congress.
At 30 years old, Schiarizzi has worked with major players in the crypto space, including Ethereum software firm ConsenSys, Gitcoin, and OpenSea. He argues that cryptocurrencies were born out of the 2008 financial crisis, designed to challenge corporate interests and empower working individuals.
He opines that technology ought to revert to its original purpose rather than becoming invasive. Schiarizzi has accused the Trump family of using crypto ventures for self-interest.
“This is the most corrupt administration in American history, and we must take our responsibilities seriously,” he stated.
Ethereum developers, like Schiarizzi, advocate for a variety of use cases for cryptocurrencies, from funding solar farms with tokenized energy certificates to enabling private healthcare payments to doctors, ensuring broader access to health services.
“I think these are issues that most Americans can embrace, and they aren’t related to meme coin scams that the president started,” he remarked.
Schiarizzi is skeptical of new pro-crypto politicians from both parties, suggesting their support is merely a ploy to gain favor or shield themselves from powerful cryptocurrency interests.
“All that money could support Republicans who restrict our rights or go to those genuinely building technology to improve real lives,” he pointed out.
“They seem to just want checks, lacking an understanding of how these technologies can truly benefit society if regulated properly,” he added.
If elected, Schiarizzi plans to champion crypto policies beneficial to smaller projects and everyday users, aiming to simplify tax regulations and ensure legal exemptions for common crypto tools. He also wants to diversify the reserves backing dollar-pegged stablecoins to include municipal bonds that could finance hospitals and schools.
Additionally, Schiarizzi is involved in Northern Virginia’s YIMBY movement, which advocates for a rapid expansion of housing supply in the U.S., citing rising homeownership costs as a societal threat.
However, securing a Congressional seat isn’t a sure thing. Several Democratic candidates are also vying for Virginia’s potential 7th Congressional District.
Despite the competition, Schiarizzi is currently the only candidate accepting donations in various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
