Cathie Wood, the CEO of ARK Invest, has made a bold statement, asserting that cryptocurrency has become a crucial issue in the upcoming U.S. elections. This declaration comes in the wake of the unexpected and sudden approval of key documents for the proposed ether exchange-traded funds (ETF), which took Wood by surprise.

Wood expressed her astonishment at the approval, noting that the general expectation was that the proposal would not be approved. She further explained that if the approval had followed the regular process, they would have received queries from the SEC, which was not the case. The Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), which received bipartisan support and was passed last week, also played a significant role in this development, indicating that cryptocurrency could become a major issue in the election year.

Wood also highlighted former President Trump's increasing comfort with bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, including his willingness to accept campaign donations in crypto, which drew attention from the administration. This shift in attitude towards digital assets by a prominent political figure underscores the growing mainstream acceptance and importance of cryptocurrency in the political landscape.

When discussing the potential approval of a solana ETF, Wood expressed optimism, stating that it could be approved. However, she voiced skepticism about the approval of meme coin-focused funds, citing the reluctance of large brokerage firms and investment advisory companies to accept more than 'the majors.' This stance reflects the industry's cautious approach to emerging cryptocurrencies and the need for further regulatory clarity.

ARK Invest's position on bitcoin is that it is a public good. The Ark 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, approved in January with a fee of 0.21%, is not expected to generate profits. Wood emphasized the importance of making the ETF accessible to as many people as possible, hence the low fee. She also announced that ARK would allocate a percentage of its private fund revenues to support Bitcoin developers, ensuring they receive consistent support regardless of the ETF's profitability.

Despite the progress in approving the ether ETFs, Wood remains bullish on bitcoin. She predicts that the BTC price could reach $1.5 million by 2030 and refers to it as a 'financial super highway.' When asked if she would rather hold bitcoin or ether, Wood unequivocally chose bitcoin, describing it as a global monetary system, a technology, and a new asset class.

In conclusion, Cathie Wood's statements highlight the growing importance of cryptocurrency in the U.S. political landscape. The unexpected approval of ether ETFs, the bipartisan support for the FIT21 Act, and former President Trump's increasing comfort with digital assets all point to the increasing mainstream acceptance and significance of cryptocurrency in the election year. As the industry continues to evolve and gain traction, it is likely that cryptocurrency will play an even more prominent role in shaping the political discourse and policies in the years to come.