Ian Calderon launched his California Governor 2026 bid, positioning himself as a Pro Bitcoin Democrat.
He named lower costs for housing, groceries, and gas as core goals. He also put a Bitcoin reserve and California crypto payments bill discussions into the race.
Ian Calderon Campaign Priorities and Bitcoin Reserve Pitch
Ian Calderon announced his run on X and highlighted everyday payments. He said people pay bills on phones and send money with Venmo. He added that many now save in Bitcoin.
“My generation pays bills on our phones, we send money to each other with Venmo and we save in Bitcoin,”
Ian Calderon said. He then contrasted current policies with today’s tools. The message placed a Bitcoin reserve in a central role.
During a livestream, Ian Calderon said California should be holding Bitcoin on its balance sheet. He added,
“Once I’m governor, I’m going to make sure that we hold Bitcoin on our balance sheet.”
The Pro Bitcoin Democrat also said Bitcoin could fund state programs. He did not list custody methods, allocation sizes, or risk rules.
California Governor 2026 Field, Early Polls, and Kamala Harris Decision
California Governor 2026 voting is set for November 3, 2026. The race follows Gavin Newsom reaching term limits. It opened further after Kamala Harris confirmed in late July that she would not run.
Polling places Katie Porter ahead in early snapshots. Chad Bianco, a Republican sheriff, follows in several surveys. Steve Hilton, a Republican commentator and former adviser, also appears near the top.
These names define the California Governor 2026 field at this stage. Ian Calderon enters as a Pro Bitcoin Democrat with a distinct plank. He puts a Bitcoin reserve and a California crypto payments bill in public view.
Ian Calderon Record: California Blockchain Working Group and Legal Tender Idea
Ian Calderon entered the Assembly in 2012 at age 27, the youngest member then. He served until 2020 and led the California Blockchain Working Group. The group helped shape a statewide blockchain roadmap.
In early 2022, Ian Calderon worked with Dennis Porter of Satoshi Action Fund. They backed a proposal to explore Bitcoin as legal tender in California. The idea kept Ian Calderon tied to crypto policy after leaving office.
The legal tender proposal has seen little to no progress since. Still, it explains his current focus on a Bitcoin reserve. It also connects to the California crypto payments bill now in the Legislature.
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California Crypto Payments Bill, $4.3 Trillion Economy, and Policy Setting
California has a $4.3 trillion economy. That scale shapes any Bitcoin reserve or crypto payment framework. It also sets stakes for vendors and agencies.
A California crypto payments bill advanced to allow agencies to accept crypto. The bill has not cleared all chambers or committees yet. It remains separate from any Bitcoin reserve plan.
Ian Calderon now links his Pro Bitcoin Democrat agenda to this context. He argues that tools already exist to handle payments. He keeps attention on the California crypto payments bill and a Bitcoin reserve.
Quotes, Campaign Messaging, and Pro Bitcoin Democrat Framing
“California has always been a leader on technology,”
Ian Calderon wrote in another X post.
“It’s time for us to get back to our roots and make California the undisputed leader on Bitcoin.”
The quote places Pro Bitcoin Democrat branding at the campaign’s center.
Crypto funding increased in 2024 election cycles at federal and state levels. As a result, more candidates shared clear positions on Bitcoin and crypto. That shift now meets the California Governor 2026 timeline.
Disclosure:This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.
Kriptoworld.com accepts no liability for any errors in the articles or for any financial loss resulting from incorrect information.
Tatevik Avetisyan is an editor at Kriptoworld who covers emerging crypto trends, blockchain innovation, and altcoin developments. She is passionate about breaking down complex stories for a global audience and making digital finance more accessible.
📅 Published: August 4, 2025 • 🔄 Last updated: August 4, 2025
