As anticipated, cryptocurrency was not a focal point during the second presidential debate. While the chances of it being discussed were slim, its inclusion would have been welcome.
The 2024 U.S. presidential election is fast approaching, with less than two months remaining. On Tuesday night, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump faced off, each presenting their visions for the future of America.
Why It Matters
With the election just around the corner, the U.S. will soon have a new president. This leader will appoint new heads of regulatory agencies and departments, shaping future policies. The crypto industry is particularly interested in these developments. Unfortunately, crypto did not feature in the debate.
Breaking It Down
There isn’t much to elaborate on. A team of CoinDesk reporters covered the event, and you can read the detailed coverage by me and my colleague, Sam Reynolds, here. Here are some key takeaways:
- Before the debate, Polymarket had Trump slightly ahead in its 2024 election market. By the end of the debate, both candidates were neck and neck.
- Polymarket’s current data suggests that Harris won the debate. This will be confirmed after the next Ipsos/538 poll, which shows similar results. An immediate CNN poll agreed with this assessment.
- Some people on X (formerly Twitter) are unhappy with these results. If you’re concerned, you might want to discuss it with Polymarket bettors.
- Harris seemed to use a strategy to provoke Trump, touching on topics like crowd sizes. She also aimed to appeal to undecided and centrist voters with comments on border issues, gun ownership, tax credits for young families, small business tax deductions, and protecting healthcare rights like abortion.
- Trump’s approach focused on contrasting himself with President Joe Biden, who is part of Harris’s administration. He highlighted his COVID response, plans to impose tariffs on foreign imports, and his existing credentials.
After the debate, Trump’s odds of winning the election dropped 3% on Polymarket.
A Missed Opportunity for Tech Discussions
Aside from the lack of crypto talk, other tech issues also went unaddressed. Topics such as artificial intelligence, the recent Google monopoly ruling, datacenter expansion, and new tech gadgets like the $700 PS5 Pro or Huawei’s expensive trifold phone were not mentioned. The debate lasted a little over 90 minutes, and the moderators had a lot to cover, which likely contributed to these omissions.
Next Steps
It is uncertain whether another debate will be scheduled. Harris’s campaign officials have expressed a desire for one, while Trump has said he will “look at it.”
Additionally, the vice presidential nominees, Sen. J.D. Vance and Gov. Tim Walz, are set to debate on October 1.
For more details on the candidates’ claims, you can check fact-checks from NPR, CNN, or the Wall Street Journal.
If you enjoy our content, you can support us by signing up for a Bybit Account using our referral link. Don’t forget to claim your bonuses if you buy/sell or trade crypto.
You might also like our recent guide on trading with bullish and bearish divergence indicators or our list of meme coin launch pads.
