Khurram Dara Announces Candidacy for New York State Attorney General
Khurram Dara, who previously held the position of policy lawyer at Coinbase, has officially declared his candidacy for the New York State Attorney General’s office, gearing up for the 2026 election. In a statement released on Friday, Dara highlighted his extensive background in regulatory affairs and policy, particularly focusing on the cryptocurrency and fintech sectors, as key qualifications for his bid to challenge the current Attorney General, Letitia James.
Background and Experience
Since August, Dara had hinted at his intentions to enter the political arena, criticizing James for what he describes as “lawfare” against the crypto industry in New York. Until July, Dara was the principal for regulatory and policy matters at Bain Capital Crypto, the investment firm’s digital asset division. His experience at Coinbase spanned from June 2022 to January 2023, and he has held roles at other notable crypto firms, such as Fluidity and Airswap.
Letitia James and the Crypto Community
Letitia James, who has served as Attorney General since 2019, has faced backlash from parts of the cryptocurrency community due to her legal actions against various crypto companies to protect New York consumers, including lawsuits against major players like Genesis, KuCoin, and NovaTech. The individual elected to this position will wield considerable power over potential legal actions involving crypto firms in the state.
Alignment with Local Issues
Dara also expressed his alignment with issues emphasized by recently elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani, particularly concerning rising living costs and affordability for New Yorkers. We reached out to Dara for further comments but had not received a reply by the time this article was published.
Parallel Political Developments
Similarly, in parallel political developments, John Deaton, an attorney well-known for his advocacy on behalf of XRP holders during the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple, is also entering the political fray. Deaton previously ran against Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2024, facing a significant defeat. However, on November 10, he announced plans to challenge Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat, in the 2026 elections as a Republican candidate.
Given Massachusetts’s voting history, both Deaton and Dara are expected to encounter challenges in the Republican primaries as they navigate electorate dynamics that have traditionally favored Democratic candidates.
Conclusion
As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how these candidates will address the pressing issues faced by their constituents, particularly in the rapidly changing crypto regulatory environment.
