Washington’s War on Crypto Developers: Meet the PAC Fighting Back
Last updated on June 12th, 2026 at 02:17 pm
Over the last several years, there’s been a war being waged in Washington…
It isn’t about the things you might think would be the target…
It’s about the code itself.
The system has identified its next target… the software developers who build the very foundation of the crypto ecosystem.
They’re trying to create a world where writing a piece of open-source code makes you legally responsible for how every single person uses it.
But a new political action committee, the Defend Developers PAC, has just been formed to fight this battle.
This is a desperate last stand against a machine that wants to control innovation by criminalizing it.
The Battle Line: Code Is Not a Crime
What’s been the government argument for trying to criminalize those that develop code in crypto?
Simply put, the government wants to hold crypto code developers liable for anything & everything that anyone & everyone does with the code they create.
This understanding brings us to the heart of the fight… a single… fundamental principle… a developer should not be held liable for the actions of their users.
Seems logical doesn’t it?
Afterall, this is the “safe harbor” concept that has protected tech innovators for decades.
What Is a “Safe Harbor” for Developers?
At its core, a “safe harbor” is a legal protection that shields creators from being held responsible for how their users choose to use their tools.
Think of it like this… the company that manufactures a hammer isn’t sued if someone uses that hammer to commit a crime… they made a tool with a legitimate purpose, and they are not liable for its misuse.
In the digital world, this concept is vital.
As the Defend Developers PAC argues, it’s the same reason a word processor developer isn’t prosecuted for threats written with their software.
Without this protection, the very act of innovation becomes a legal minefield, and creators are forced to anticipate and control every possible illicit use case… which is not only impossible… but a perfect excuse to halt progress entirely.
But why change the developer rules for crypto?
The short answer is because it helps maintain their control of the financial system… by stifling innovation in the crypto space… they force everyone to remain subject to their monetary policies.
Want to understand more about the why?
Watch my video about how The Fed works.
The establishment is actively lobbying against these protections, claiming that shielding developers creates a “safe haven” for criminals, and cripples their ability to investigate illicit finance.
This is the classic playbook… conflate the tool with the user to justify total control.
They want to make the very act of creating a decentralized protocol a legally fraught act… this will at the very least result in only the biggest, most well-funded corporations being able to afford to play.
Enter the Defend Developers PAC
Personally I believe that it’s a sad state of affairs in the U.S…
Why?
Because lobbying politicians is even necessary!
But this isn’t a political debate… and PACs are unfortunately a necessity…
Founded by Gavin Zavatone, the Defend Developers PAC isn’t trying to be another broad, catch-all crypto lobbying group… its mission is laser-focused: to educate lawmakers, and lobby specifically for protections for software developers.
Their strategy is focusing their energy on incumbent lawmakers.
The goal… to try to explain the technical realities… and the chilling effects… that developer liability would have on American innovation.
They’re fighting to create a legal distinction between building a tool and using it for illicit purposes.
It’s a noble… and unfortunately necessary fight.
It highlights just how far we’ve slid that a PAC is even needed to defend the basic principle of writing code.
The Chilling Effect Being Created
I don’t think any words could adequately explain the chilling effect of not having developer protections here means for the U.S.
This argument by the establishment is a deliberate misdirection about what “safe haven” means for crypto code.
By refusing to create clear, safe harbor protections for developers, they are creating the exact environment they claim to fear.
When innovators are unsure if their work is legal… they don’t innovate… they leave… they move to jurisdictions with clear rules… or worse, they stop building in the open altogether
This drives the best and brightest minds underground or out of the country…
The unfortunate reality of this is that the system is targeting innovators… and this will become a backdoor way to kill decentralization without ever having to ban a single token… you simply make it impossible for anyone to build the next one.
Why This Is a Fight We Can’t Afford to Lose
One thing is for certain… the consequences of this move could be catastrophic…
This isn’t some abstract legal debate for high-powered lawyers… its a fight for the soul of the entire ecosystem.
If they succeed in making developers liable for user actions, they effectively kill DeFi.
They kill open-source development.
They hand the entire future of finance over to the same regulated, centralized entities that have controlled it for a century.
Personally, the Defend Developers PAC is a welcome ally in this fight… but it can’t be the only one…
Every single person in this space needs to understand what’s at stake… and do whatever they can to protect it… and innovate within it…
This is the machine’s endgame… to shift from regulating the use of crypto to regulating the creation of it.
And if they win that… they win everything!
Future of the Fight
The formation of the Defend Developers PAC is a clear signal that the war for crypto’s future has entered a new, critical phase.
It’s no longer just about market structure or stablecoin rules… it’s about the fundamental right to innovate without fear of prosecution.
The system’s attempt to conflate a developer with a criminal is a direct attack on the principles of decentralization and open-source collaboration.
This is a battle for the builders… the tinkerers… and the visionaries…
If we lose this… we risk losing the entire revolution before it’s even built.
Disclaimer
The information provided here is for INFORMATIONAL & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!
View our complete disclaimer on our Disclaimer Page
