TL;DR
- Harriet Hageman posted a five-second video on X with the word “Soon,” placing her name into the discussion for the Senate seat that Cynthia Lummis will vacate in 2026.
- Cynthia Lummis’ departure leaves open a seat that has been central to the crypto agenda.
- There is clear interest in preserving Wyoming’s pro-crypto profile.
Harriet Hageman returned to the center of Wyoming’s political scene after posting a five-second video on X, accompanied by the word “Soon.” That brief message was enough to put her name into the debate over the 2026 Senate race. Just days earlier, Cynthia Lummis confirmed that she will not seek reelection, leaving vacant a seat that has been key to the crypto agenda in the United States.
Lummis’ exit marks a turning point. During her tenure, Wyoming’s Senate seat served as a platform to promote initiatives tied to the crypto industry. Lummis openly supported Bitcoin from its early stages and took part in legislative efforts aimed at setting clear rules for the market, from exchange market structure to stablecoin regulation and banking access for crypto companies. Her retirement removes a crucial voice at a time when Congress is approaching votes that will be decisive for the sector.
Hageman will need to define her stance on the crypto industry
Hageman currently holds Wyoming’s sole seat in the House of Representatives. Her legislative record centers on traditional conservative priorities: education policy, limits on federal power, energy policy, and alignment with Donald Trump’s agenda. So far, cryptocurrencies have not played a central role in her public messaging. A Senate run, however, would require her to take a clear position on an issue that is embedded in the state’s political identity.
Local support did not take long to emerge. Caitlin Long, founder of Custodia Bank and one of the most influential figures behind Wyoming’s blockchain-friendly legal framework, voiced her backing for Hageman. For the industry, that endorsement sends a clear signal: there is an expectation of continuity, even without explicit commitments.
The 2026 election will define the role Wyoming wants to play in the federal debate on digital assets. The state has built a distinct identity by advancing blockchain-friendly laws and attracting innovative financial projects. Without a senator clearly aligned with that agenda, Wyoming’s positioning could weaken or be absorbed into a broader Republican strategy, where crypto policy competes with other priorities.
For now, Hageman has not officially announced her candidacy or outlined a specific stance on the industry. Whoever represents Wyoming in the Senate next will have direct influence over decisions on platform oversight, stablecoin regulation, and the relationship between banks and crypto companies
