A new crypto-focused hybrid PAC, Defend Developers, has entered the political arena, aiming to support incumbent lawmakers who advocate for legal protection of crypto developers and DeFi creators. Founded by DeFi Education Fund policy lead Gavin Zavatone, the PAC plans to raise and contribute over six figures across dozens of key midterm races. Unlike the industry's leading super PAC Fairshake, Defend Developers operates as a hybrid PAC, allowing direct contributions to candidates alongside unlimited corporate spending on independent ads. The PAC's board includes members from Uniswap Labs, DeFi Education Fund, and the Solana Policy Institute. While it won't rival Fairshake's scale, Defend Developers focuses on a niche: protecting crypto technologists. This comes amid broader crypto industry political engagement, with Fairshake spending millions to support pro-crypto candidates and defeat critics. The November general election could shift party majorities in Congress, making these efforts critical for the industry.

Key facts

• Defend Developers is a new hybrid PAC protecting crypto developers from legal vulnerabilities.
• Plans to raise over $100,000 for dozens of midterm races.
• Backs pro-crypto incumbents differently from super PACs like Fairshake.
• Board includes members from Uniswap Labs, DeFi Education Fund, and Solana Policy Institute.
• Fairshake spent $6.5M to defeat crypto critic Al Green in Texas primary.

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