California crypto advocates ramp up voter outreach ahead of 2026

Stand With Crypto is expanding its grassroots civic engagement work in California and across the U.S. ahead of the 2026 midterms, with leaders focused on education, voter mobilization and digital asset policy as Congress weighs key legislation.

Why it matters: - Stand With Crypto says crypto voters are becoming one of the most organized technology communities heading into the 2026 midterm elections. - The group is trying to turn crypto policy interest into broader civic participation, from voter education to direct engagement with lawmakers. - California has become a major hub for that effort, with the state chapter using workshops, events and partnerships to reach more people.

What happened: - Stand With Crypto says its community includes more than 3.7 million advocates worldwide and 2.9 million in the United States. - Carrie "Ms. NFTy" Lyn leads the California Stand With Crypto Chapter. - Lyn has spent more than two decades working on youth education, innovation and future-ready skills, including through youth education programs launched in 2004 and the LearnVille education technology platform. - The California chapter expanded over the past year through educational workshops, policy discussions, roundtables with policymakers, blockchain conferences, strategic partnerships and grassroots events. - The chapter also worked with Web3 communities across California on education, collaboration and digital asset policy dialogue.

The details: - Lyn created the California Crypto Bear, an educational character designed to make blockchain and digital asset concepts easier to understand. - The chapter uses short videos, social media, community events and storytelling to explain complex topics in simple terms. - Lyn said education helps people feel confident enough to ask questions and participate in public policy. - Stand With Crypto's University Chapter Program is designed to bring students into the policy conversation. - In 2026, members of the inaugural University Chapters traveled to Washington, D.C., for leadership training ahead of future congressional fly-ins. - Students took advocacy workshops, learned how legislation moves through Congress, met with movement leaders and visited historic landmarks. - In 2025, advocates from around the country traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress in support of the GENIUS Act. - The fly-ins were aimed at educating lawmakers about the need for clear digital asset legislation.

Between the lines: - Lyn is framing crypto engagement as a long-term civic issue, not just an industry campaign. - The strategy leans heavily on education because many people still find blockchain intimidating. - The focus on students suggests the movement is trying to shape the next generation of voters and policy advocates early. - The chapter network is also acting as a coordination engine, sharing engagement tactics across states and communities.

What's next: - Stand With Crypto chapters nationwide are preparing educational forums, National Voter Registration Day activations, community workshops, CLARITY Act awareness campaigns, voter registration verification events, legislator outreach opportunities, university programming and election watch parties ahead of 2026. - Lyn said 2026 will be about mobilizing informed voters who understand where policymakers stand. - The organization is also encouraging people to join Stand With Crypto, attend events and connect with local chapters through its website.

The bottom line: - Crypto advocacy is moving beyond policy lobbying and into voter turnout, campus organizing and local education ahead of a high-stakes election year.