Crypto companies have sharply increased donations to US politicians as sentiment in Washington hardens against the digital assets market.

Companies including Coinbase, the Nasdaq-listed exchange, stablecoin operator Circle and a16z, the crypto investing arm of venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, are directing more funds towards electing pro-crypto legislators and influencing stalled bills in Congress ahead of the presidential election next year. They have been joined by high-profile venture capital and digital asset investors such as Ron Conway, Fred Wilson and the Winklevoss twins.

This week Coinbase, Circle and a16z were among the companies to put $78mn into Fairshake, a federal super Pac that can take unlimited money from corporations and individuals to spend on elections, to be directed to “pro-crypto leadership”.