Former Coinbase Lawyer Launches Bid for New York Attorney General, Promising Fair Rules for Crypto Innovation
Former Coinbase lawyer and XRP advocate target top office in New York
A former Coinbase policy lawyer and the attorney who fought for XRP holders are both preparing new election bids, turning crypto policy into a bigger issue in US politics.
Khurram Dara, who previously worked on regulatory and policy issues at Coinbase and Bain Capital Crypto, has launched a campaign for New York State Attorney General. He aims to unseat current Attorney General Letitia James in 2026, arguing that New York’s aggressive legal actions against crypto firms are hurting innovation and jobs. Dara has accused James of using “lawfare” against the digital asset industry.
Before announcing his run, Dara spent years in crypto and fintech, including roles at Fluidity and Airswap. He says that experience gives him a better understanding of how to protect consumers while allowing responsible crypto companies to operate in New York, one of the toughest regulatory environments for digital assets.
Dara plans to run as a Republican and has also highlighted everyday concerns such as the high cost of living and affordability for New Yorkers.
In Massachusetts, crypto lawyer John Deaton is also returning to the campaign trail. Deaton, known for representing XRP holders in the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s lawsuit against Ripple, previously ran for Senate in 2024 and lost to Elizabeth Warren by roughly 700,000 votes. He has now announced a 2026 Senate run as a Republican, this time targeting Senator Ed Markey.
Both Dara and Deaton face long odds in strongly Democratic states, and each is expected to first compete in Republican primaries. However, their campaigns signal that crypto regulation, investor protection and financial innovation will remain hot topics in upcoming US elections.
