US Voters Express Deep Distrust in Crypto and AI Ahead of 2026 Midterm Elections: Trust Remains Low Despite Massive Industry Political Spending

As the 2026 midterm election cycle kicks into high gear, poll results show that the massive political funds poured in by the cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence (AI) industries are failing to sway voters. Despite millions of dollars in Super PAC (Political Action Committee) donations, registered voters view new technologies as a negative factor rather than a driver of economic progress, expressing deep skepticism.

According to a CoinDesk survey of 1,000 voters released on May 3, 2026, cryptocurrency ranked at the bottom of voter priorities. Respondents generally maintained an unfavorable view of crypto and did not see it as an urgent policy issue to be addressed.

Americans still prefer traditional banks over cryptocurrency for financial access and tend to view crypto as a negative force in the economy.

The public still places greater trust in the traditional financial system. In the CoinDesk survey, Americans overwhelmingly said they prefer existing banks over crypto platforms when using financial services. This suggests that the 'financial innovation' claimed by the industry has yet to translate into tangible benefits or trust for the general public.

AI Skepticism: The Gap Between Technology Proliferation and Trust

According to the 2026 Digital Trust Index, while 93% of IT leaders are adopting or planning to adopt AI, only 23% of consumers believe companies will use AI responsibly. In particular, 77% of respondents expressed strong concerns about how AI uses data, highlighting a severe gap between the speed of technological proliferation and public trust.

• Percentage of consumers who trust companies to use AI responsibly: 23%
• Percentage who expressed concern about AI data usage: 77%
• Percentage of Americans who trust the government's ability to regulate AI: 31%

Fissures over technology policy are also being detected within political circles. According to data released by Politico on May 2, 2026, 55% of MAGA (Make America Great Again)-leaning voters supported the Trump administration's AI agenda, while only 43% of non-MAGA Republican voters responded positively. This reveals differences in opinion within the base, despite shared concerns over job losses and foreign threats.

There is also a possibility that candidates supported by crypto industry Super PACs could face a voter backlash. According to Politico's analysis, massive funding from a specific industry combined with public distrust could act as a political liability for those candidates. Voters are demanding that government officials strictly separate their personal financial interests from the crypto industry.

Low Trust in Regulatory Agencies and Government Actions

The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) 2026 AI Index Report stated that public trust in the US government's regulatory capacity is at a world-low 31%. This is significantly lower than the global average of 54% and stands in stark contrast to the high levels of trust seen in Southeast Asian countries.

Despite this distrust, government agencies are rushing to adopt technology. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has begun using AI to review crypto registration applications to fill gaps caused by staff reductions. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be as AI is introduced into the regulatory process itself, in a situation where voters distrust both regulatory agencies and the technology.

In conclusion, candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections should focus on addressing fundamental public distrust rather than relying on industry funding. Bridging the gap between the industry narrative, which emphasizes technological progress and economic benefits, and voter demands, which prioritize safety and ethics, is expected to be a key issue in this election.