The 2024 US presidential race has taken a surprising turn, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump now running neck-and-neck in a closely watched Polymarket bet. What was once a clear lead for Trump has now turned into a dead heat, reflecting the unpredictable nature of this election ever since Joe Biden stepped down.
Kamala Harris, who had been trailing behind, has seen her chances skyrocket in recent days. Her odds of winning surged from 38% to 43% almost overnight, signalling a significant shift in voter sentiment. Just a couple of weeks ago, Trump was comfortably ahead, bolstered by President Joe Biden’s lacklustre performance in a June debate.
However, the election landscape changed dramatically when Biden announced his withdrawal from the race and endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee. This move has added a new layer of complexity to the contest.
While Biden was known for his anti-crypto stance, Harris’ position on the industry remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Trump, who has been more vocal in his support for cryptocurrencies, has seen his chances dip slightly, from 60% to 55%. His recent controversial remarks questioning Harris’ identity as a black woman may have played a role in this shift, potentially alienating some voters.
The crypto community is closely watching the election, with divisions forming between those who favour Trump for his perceived pro-crypto policies and those who are backing Harris, hoping for a more moderate approach. This uncertainty has already sparked some volatility in the crypto markets, with Bitcoin dropping 2.3% to $64,401 and Ethereum falling 4.3% to $3,170 over the past 24 hours.
As the election draws closer, the battle between Harris and Trump is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched and fiercely contested in recent memory. The stakes are high, not just for the candidates, but for the future direction of key issues like cryptocurrency regulation.
