Bitcoin & Elections: What the Leading Pollsters See Coming in the Midterms

In this episode, Renee Sorchik, VP of Research at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, sits down with Brent Buchanan, CEO of Cygnal, America’s leading polling firm, and Troy Cross, professor at Reed College and co-founder of the Nakamoto Project. Together they dive deeper into new polling data and survey findings on Bitcoin adoption, ownership, and public perception.

The conversation explores who really owns Bitcoin, how those demographics compare to common assumptions, and what Cygnal’s nationally recognized polling reveals about Bitcoin’s role in American politics. With elections approaching, the guests discuss how Bitcoin intersects with voter trends, public policy, and broader cultural narratives.

From the Nakamoto Project’s mission to close gaps in Bitcoin education to Cygnal’s insights as the top-ranked private pollster, this discussion sheds light on Bitcoin’s growing influence both in the marketplace and at the ballot box.

Read the Cygnal Poll: https://www.cygn.al/poll-bitcoin-owners-lean-republican-emerging-as-sought-after-voting-bloc-in-2026-elections/

Read the Nakamoto Project Poll: https://www.thenakamotoproject.org/report

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Bitcoin Landscape

04:17 The Nakamoto Project and Bitcoin Ownership Insights

08:38 Survey Insights: Political Leanings and Bitcoin Ownership

12:54 Demographics of Bitcoin Owners and Their Values

17:06 The Impact of Bitcoin on Political Engagement

21:59 The Future of Bitcoin and Political Influence

28:15 Understanding Bitcoin's Political Impact

30:55 The Disconnect Between Bitcoin Holders and Policymakers

32:50 Mobilizing Bitcoin Holders for Political Action

36:11 Targeting the Bitcoin Demographic in Politics

38:47 Building Wealth and Understanding Bitcoin

44:11 The Political Advantage of Supporting Bitcoin

48:42 Long-Term Strategies for Engaging Bitcoin Voters