Vivek Ramaswamy, currently running for governor of Ohio, has shifted his campaign strategy by reducing public focus on cryptocurrency compared to his 2024 presidential bid. While his campaign website accepts crypto donations and he maintains significant industry ties, he has not made digital assets a central platform issue.
Ramaswamy holds a substantial stake in Strive, an asset manager he co-founded in 2022. As of August 28, 2026, Strive reported holdings of 23,156 BTC, valued at approximately $2 billion. SEC filings from September 2026 indicate Ramaswamy owns over 5.6 million shares in the firm, worth more than $170 million.
His campaign has received significant financial backing from industry figures, including $20 million from Jeff Yass, $6 million from Ross Stevens, and $5 million from Elon Musk for his Super PAC. Additionally, co-founders of World Liberty Financial each donated the maximum individual amount of $16,615.
The candidate's toned-down rhetoric may reflect local sentiment. A May 2024 poll by the Digital Currency Group indicated that 77% of Ohio respondents held negative views on digital currency. Furthermore, public opposition to data centers, which host many mining operations, has become a contentious issue in the 2026 gubernatorial race.
As of September 22, 2026, polling data showed Ramaswamy trailing his Democratic opponent, Amy Acton, by one point. Betting markets on Kalshi and Polymarket currently assign Acton a 66% probability of winning the election, with over $2 million in total bets placed on the outcome of the race.
