Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee Mike ter Maat recently discussed the potential impact of digital asset policy on the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, the Federal Reserve's exploration of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and former President Donald Trump’s conviction.

On May 26, the Libertarian Party nominated Chase Oliver for president and Mike ter Maat for vice president, solidifying the ticket for the third-largest political party in the United States. The party's values often align with those of cryptocurrency enthusiasts, advocating for limited regulations, protection of individual freedoms, and free-market economic approaches.

In an interview with Cointelegraph, ter Maat indicated that while digital asset policy could “play a minor role” in the 2024 elections, he expects inflation and foreign policy issues to dominate voters' concerns. However, the increasing attention to cryptocurrencies from Democratic and Republican candidates could make it a notable topic as Congress considers various crypto bills and regulatory actions continue against industry figures.

“I think that technology more generally than just cryptocurrency and finance more generally than just cryptocurrency could play a more important role,” ter Maat stated. He expressed a desire for cryptocurrencies to become a central topic in national discussions but remained cautious about expecting this outcome.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to accept their party's nomination in August, while former President Donald Trump is anticipated to secure the Republican nomination in July, despite facing sentencing for 34 felony counts just days before the convention.

Ter Maat mentioned a lack of “common ground” with other candidates on digital asset policy. He criticized Robert F. Kennedy Jr., running as an Independent, for operating with different principles on technology. He also pointed out Trump's vague statements on nuanced issues.

“I don’t necessarily see one party or another beating the poop out of each other on this set of issues sufficiently to move the needle [in the election],” ter Maat said. He and Oliver are aligned in their approach to digital assets, believing that no new federal regulatory structure is necessary. They attribute existing problems to bad actors rather than a lack of regulation.

In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill prohibiting the Federal Reserve from offering a CBDC. Ter Maat has publicly opposed any legislation that would authorize the Fed to issue a digital dollar, arguing that it could stifle the development of other cryptocurrencies.

“If the Fed or any other central bank got into this business [of digital assets] or even just considered getting into this business, it would create enough incentives for those organizations to create a regulatory framework that advantaged their own currency or advantaged their future ability to issue their own currency, so much that it could inhibit the development of other cryptocurrencies,” ter Maat explained.

The Libertarian Party garnered about 3% of the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election. While polls suggest the Oliver/ter Maat ticket is unlikely to win any state, they could influence the outcome by drawing votes from either Biden or Trump.

Trump’s legal challenges and President Biden’s controversial positions, such as his support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict, are also factors reshaping voter sentiment. The evolving stance on cryptocurrency regulation and the Libertarian Party’s advocacy for a hands-off approach could appeal to voters seeking alternatives to the major parties.