Representatives from major crypto firms—including Gemini, Coinbase and Ripple—attended a White House fundraising dinner to solicit pledges for a proposed $250 million ballroom expansion, with prior donations and political contributions by industry figures noted in reporting.
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Attendees included Gemini co-founders and executives from Coinbase and Ripple.
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The proposed ballroom is estimated at $250 million and would add roughly 90,000 sq ft (8,361 m²) to the White House complex.
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Reports cite prior crypto contributions: a $2M Bitcoin pledge, a $21M PAC donation and a $1M inauguration fund contribution by industry figures.
Crypto companies at White House fundraising dinner: Gemini, Coinbase and Ripple attended a $250M ballroom fundraising event; read COINOTAG’s factual account and timeline. Learn more.
By COINOTAG — Published: 2025-10-16 · Updated: 2025-10-16
What happened at the White House fundraising dinner involving crypto companies?
Representatives of several major crypto firms attended a White House fundraising dinner to solicit pledges toward a proposed $250 million White House ballroom expansion. Reporting identifies attendees from Gemini, Coinbase and Ripple among donors and invited guests; the dinner took place amid an ongoing federal funding impasse.
Which crypto firms and executives attended the fundraising dinner?
According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal, attendees and donors included Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss of Gemini, representatives from Coinbase Global, and executives from Ripple Labs. The event also drew executives from large technology and defense firms and political donors. Cointelegraph reported outreach to Coinbase, Ripple, Gemini and the White House for comment; no responses were recorded at the time of publication. All source names are presented as plain text reporting.
Why is the event notable for crypto-government relations?
Industry participation at the event underscores expanding ties between crypto firms and federal policymakers. Crypto executives have engaged with lawmakers on legislation such as the GENIUS-related stablecoin discussions and other market-structure proposals. The Winklevosses have previously pledged $2 million in Bitcoin to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and made other political contributions; Ripple leadership has met with the administration on several occasions; and Coinbase has a record of meetings with Capitol Hill to press for regulatory clarity.
The proposed ballroom project itself was announced as an expansion totaling roughly 90,000 square feet (8,361 square meters) and an estimated cost of $250 million. The fundraising dinner was reported to be one of several efforts to secure private pledges for that initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did crypto executives donate to the White House ballroom fundraising effort?
Specific donation amounts tied directly to the dinner have not been publicly disclosed. Past and related contributions reported in news coverage include a $2 million Bitcoin pledge by the Winklevosses, a $21 million PAC donation, and a $1 million contribution tied to a presidential inauguration fund, according to published reports.
Who from the crypto industry met with the White House and Congress recently?
Representatives from Gemini, Coinbase and Ripple have repeatedly engaged with the White House and Congress. Activities reported include attendance at bill signings, summit meetings at the White House, and multiple Capitol Hill meetings to discuss stablecoin and market-structure legislation.
Key Takeaways
- High-level attendance: Executives and founders from Gemini, Coinbase and Ripple were reported attendees, indicating growing political engagement by the crypto sector.
- Project scale: The proposed White House ballroom expansion is estimated at $250 million and about 90,000 sq ft, prompting private fundraising efforts.
- Policy implications: The event follows industry meetings on the GENIUS stablecoin discussions and broader regulatory outreach, reflecting deeper ties between crypto firms and policymakers.
Conclusion
This COINOTAG report documents that multiple prominent crypto firms were present at a White House fundraising dinner organized to support a proposed $250 million ballroom expansion, reinforcing an observable trend of increased political engagement by the crypto sector. Published sources cited include Wall Street Journal and Cointelegraph as plain-text reporting; COINOTAG will monitor further disclosures and official statements for updates.
