Democrat tells crypto execs Republicans ‘used them': Sources

**Democrat Senator Challenges Republican Crypto Strategy in High-Stakes Industry Meeting**

Senator Ruben Gallego delivered pointed criticism of Republican cryptocurrency policies during a private roundtable with leading crypto executives Wednesday, claiming GOP leaders have "used" the digital asset industry for political gain. The closed-door discussion highlights growing partisan tensions over Bitcoin regulation, blockchain legislation, and the future of decentralized finance (DeFi) in America.

Gallego's remarks signal potential Democratic shifts in cryptocurrency policy approaches as the industry seeks clearer regulatory frameworks. The senator's critique comes amid increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and growing concerns about regulatory clarity affecting major cryptocurrency exchanges and blockchain innovations.

This political development could significantly impact crypto market sentiment and regulatory outcomes for digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and emerging DeFi protocols. Industry executives attending the roundtable represent billions in cryptocurrency market capitalization, making their policy discussions crucial for blockchain technology advancement.

The partisan crypto divide may influence upcoming legislative decisions affecting cryptocurrency trading, mining operations, and institutional adoption across traditional finance sectors.