Winklevoss brothers send $21M in Bitcoin to pro-Trump political fund before midterms
Gemini co-founders strengthen ties with Trump through major crypto donation
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, the billionaire co-founders of Gemini, announced they had donated more than $21 million worth of Bitcoin to the Digital Freedom Fund PAC, a political action committee supporting US President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto policies.
In a post on X, Tyler Winklevoss confirmed that the brothers contributed 188 BTC, worth about $21 million, to the PAC. The donation is aimed at bolstering Trump’s crypto agenda in the run-up to the 2026 US midterm elections, which could help Republicans strengthen their congressional majority.
According to the Winklevosses, the Digital Freedom Fund will support market structure legislation, push for tax exemptions on small-scale Bitcoin and crypto transactions, and work with other pro-crypto groups.
This isn’t the first time the twins have backed Trump with Bitcoin. During the 2024 election, they donated roughly $2 million in BTC to his campaign. They also contributed $5 million to the Fairshake PAC, which spent over $130 million on congressional races to support “pro-crypto” candidates and oppose those considered “anti-crypto.”
The timing of their latest $21 million donation — mirroring Bitcoin’s capped supply of 21 million coins — signals both symbolic support and an effort to ensure crypto policy remains a top priority in Washington.
Growing influence or political overreach?
The Winklevoss twins’ growing political involvement has brought them closer to Trump’s inner circle. After supporting his 2024 campaign, they attended inauguration events and participated in the White House’s March crypto summit. Trump even acknowledged their support during the signing of the GENIUS Act, a bipartisan stablecoin bill, in July.
They have also expanded their financial ties by investing in American Bitcoin, a mining company linked to Trump’s family. However, their relationship with the administration has not been without friction.
Recently, reports surfaced that the twins urged Trump to reconsider the nomination of Brian Quintenz as chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, despite initially backing him. The White House later requested a delay in Senate consideration, putting the Winklevosses at odds with other crypto organizations that openly supported Quintenz.
With their latest move, the Gemini founders have cemented their role as major players in the political fight for crypto regulation, raising questions about whether their influence is shaping US policy as much as their money.
