President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clashed in their first debate of the 2024 election season on Thursday, June 27. The 90-minute debate, hosted by CNN in Atlanta, covered key topics such as the economy, abortion, immigration, foreign policy, and democracy but did not address Bitcoin or crypto. This omission was notable given the crypto community's anticipation and the substantial financial backing from crypto-supported super PACs, which have raised over $200 million.

Despite Trump's previous pro-crypto stance, neither candidate mentioned the industry. Trump, who recently met with Bitcoin miners and expressed support for American-made crypto, did not bring it up during the debate, possibly due to the limited two-minute speaking times. Biden's administration, perceived as more skeptical of crypto, has not yet shown significant positive progress on the issue.

The debate itself was contentious, with Biden appearing hesitant at times and struggling with his words, raising concerns about his age and capability. Trump, in contrast, appeared more confident, though he made several contentious claims. Former Senator Claire McCaskill criticized Biden's performance, saying he failed to reassure Americans of his fitness for office.

In the aftermath, Biden attributed his performance to a sore throat, while Trump's campaign and many in the crypto industry viewed the debate as a success. The event highlighted the stark differences between the candidates' visions for the nation's future and underscored that crypto has not yet become a central issue in the 2024 presidential election.