Potential campaign could center on ending “lawfare” in crypto regulation
Khurram Dara, a former policy counsel at Coinbase, is considering a 2026 campaign for New York State Attorney General, positioning himself as a challenger to current AG Letitia James. While not yet formally announcing, Dara has hinted that digital asset policy would be a central theme if he enters the race.
Speaking to Cointelegraph, Dara said his potential platform would focus on “ending lawfare across the board, which certainly includes crypto”. He criticized what he described as state-level overreach in regulating digital assets, arguing that some AGs are “acting as national policymakers” in the absence of federal clarity.
The Columbia Law School graduate has publicly supported Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, recently convicted in New York federal court, and has criticized figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren for linking crypto with illicit activity.
James, who took office in 2019, has brought multiple high-profile cases against crypto firms, including Genesis, KuCoin, Celsius, and trading platform NovaTech. Her stance has been that “unregulated cryptocurrency platforms” pose real dangers to investors. As of now, she has not announced whether she will seek reelection.
New York’s AG role is viewed as strategically important to the crypto industry, given the state’s status as home to major firms like Gemini, Galaxy Digital, and Chainalysis. Dara argues the state should “embrace” its tech and crypto talent rather than regulate it through litigation.
If he runs, Dara—currently working at the Council on Foreign Relations—would join Republican Michael Henry, who lost to James in 2022, as the second declared GOP contender. A December 2024 Siena College poll placed James’ favorability at 40%, leaving the race open for potential challengers.
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