Donald Trump retakes the lead against Kamala Harris on Polymarket, with odds spiking to 53%.

Former President Donald Trump has regained the lead over Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming U.S. elections on the prediction platform Polymarket. Trump’s odds surged to 53%, surpassing Harris, who previously held the top spot with odds hitting 54% just days earlier. Despite this increase, Trump’s current chances are significantly lower than the 72% peak following a recent conference in Nashville, Texas.

The latest spike in Trump’s odds follows recent criticisms around Harris’s cautious approach toward the crypto industry. At press time, Trump has a 53% chance of winning the 2024 presidential elections, ahead of Kamala Harris with a 46% chance.

An anonymous individual registered on Polymarket on Aug. 19 and withdrew $205,000 in USD Coin (USDC) from a major exchange. This amount was used to purchase 417,252 β€œYes” shares in favor of Trump winning the election. Following the increase in Trump’s odds, the bettor now holds an unrealized profit of $15,000. The GOP candidate now sees over $85 million in volume wagered on his potential victory, as opposed to Harris’s $77.5 million.

Harris’s initial lead was bolstered by increased attempts from her team to engage the crypto industry, especially with the Crypto4Harris campaign. However, recent developments have triggered questions about the Democrat’s willingness to improve the regulatory climate around crypto in the U.S. For instance, the Democratic National Committee’s 2024 platform notably excluded any direct mention of cryptocurrency, sparking concerns.

Moreover, the Kamala Harris campaign expressed intentions to back a 44.6% tax on capital gains, representing the highest rate recorded in U.S. history. This move further attracted criticisms from prominent crypto industry leaders.

Meanwhile, Harris’s aide revealed that the Democratic candidate has promised to support measures that will help grow the crypto industry. In response, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson expressed skepticism, stating that specific, tangible actions are needed rather than just talk.

Harris has faced criticism for not more strongly advocating for the industry, especially as former President Donald Trump has positioned himself as a pro-crypto candidate. Trump’s platform includes promises to bar the creation of a CBDC, replace SEC Chair Gary Gensler, and stop the government from selling its Bitcoin holdings.

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