Anti-Trump Ethereum Dev Launches Congress Bid, Will Accept Bitcoin—Even That Trump Meme Coin

Joe Schiarizzi, a 30-year-old Ethereum developer and outspoken critic of President Trump, is running for Congress in Virginia as a Democrat—specifically in the state's 7th congressional district, which could be redrawn later this month. Because nothing says "American democracy" quite like trying to win a seat in a district that might not even exist by Election Day.

The lifelong Virginian previously worked for Consensys, Gitcoin, and OpenSea. He argues crypto was originally created after the 2008 financial crisis as a tool to stand up to corporate interests and protect working people—not as a vehicle for political self-enrichment. In other words, the理想 was decentralized finance, not "let me rug pull the entire executive branch."

"This is the most corrupt administration in American history, and we need to get serious about accountability," Schiarizzi told Decrypt. Bold words from a guy who literally builds on a blockchain designed to be immutable. Apparently, he thinks American democracy could use a hard fork.

He wants crypto to focus on public-good use cases: funding solar power farms through tokenized renewable energy certificates (something he's already done), and allowing Americans to pay doctors privately on-chain for medical care. He specifically called out meme coin scams, including those launched by the president. Nothing says "he gets it" like calling out the guy who turned the Oval Office into a launchpad.

Schiarizzi also criticized pro-crypto lawmakers in both parties, calling them opportunistic and more interested in checks from crypto super PACs than understanding the actual benefits of the technology. Basically, he's accusing politicians of treating crypto like a sugar daddy rather than a legitimate financial revolution. And honestly? The vibes check out.

If elected, he plans to push for simpler crypto tax requirements, legal exemptions for common crypto tools, and expanding stablecoin reserve types to include municipal bonds that could fund hospitals and schools. Imagine: your USDC actually building schools instead of just funding your degenerate gambling habit. Revolutionary stuff.

He's also a leader in northern Virginia's YIMBY movement, calling the skyrocketing cost of home ownership something that's "tearing apart the fabric of our society." For those not in the know, YIMBY means "Yes In My Backyard"—the opposite of NIMBYs, who block housing development while simultaneously complaining that nobody can afford to live near them.

His path to Washington isn't guaranteed—several other Democratic candidates have already lined up for the potential new 7th district, including a state senator, a state delegate, and the wife of a former governor. So basically, he's running against the Virginia political establishment, a sitting state legislator, and someone's spouse. No big deal.

But Schiarizzi has one distinction no other candidate can claim: he's the only one who'll let you donate in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Fartcoin, USDC—and yes, even the Trump meme coin. Nothing says "I hate your policies but I'll gladly take your money" quite like accepting the very coin that probably made fun of him on Twitter. Now that's what we call diamond hands diplomacy.