Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman has stirred early speculation about a possible 2026 Senate run after posting a brief, cryptic video just days after Senator Cynthia Lummis confirmed she will not seek reelection.
The five-second clip, shared on X, marked Hageman’s first post in months and quickly drew attention in political and crypto policy circles.
While Hageman has not announced any plans, the timing has placed her at the center of conversations about who could succeed one of Congress’s most influential voices on digital asset regulation.
Bitcoin’s Loudest Voice in the Senate Is Stepping Aside
Lummis, a Republican, said on December 19 that she would step aside at the end of her term, which expires on January 3, 2027.
First elected in 2020 and sworn in the following year, she became the first woman to represent Wyoming in the Senate and built a national reputation as one of Washington’s most outspoken supporters of Bitcoin and blockchain technology.
Her decision to retire comes as lawmakers remain locked in debates over how the United States should regulate crypto markets, stablecoins, and banking access for digital asset firms.
During her tenure, Lummis played a central role in shaping those discussions. As chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, she helped drive efforts to establish clearer oversight for the industry.
She co-authored and supported several high-profile bills, including the Responsible Financial Innovation Act and proposals tied to the broader digital asset market structure framework.
She also aligned closely with President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto messaging during his current term, framing digital assets as a strategic issue for U.S. competitiveness.
Her departure leaves an open question about who will carry that mantle in the Senate.
Hageman’s Record Hints at Wyoming’s Next Crypto-Friendly Senator
Wyoming’s single Senate seat has been a consistent source of support for crypto-friendly legislation, and its next occupant will have a say in whether that continues.
Hageman’s name has surfaced as a potential successor partly because of her political alignment with Lummis and her record in the House.
Hageman, as a fourth-generation Wyomingite and attorney, was elected to Congress in 2022 after defeating then-Representative Liz Cheney in the Republican primary.
Her work in Washington has largely focused on limiting federal overreach, supporting fossil fuel development, defending private land rights, and advancing conservative priorities tied to states’ authority.
While crypto has not been the centerpiece of her platform, Hageman has taken positions that resonate with the industry.
She has framed digital assets as a states’ rights issue and argued that activities such as mining should be regulated primarily at the state level rather than by federal agencies.
She also co-sponsored the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which passed the House in July 2025 and seeks to block the creation of a central bank digital currency over concerns about financial privacy and government control.
Crypto Leaders Rally Early behind Hageman as Lummis’ Possible Successor
Her potential entry into the Senate race has already drawn attention from figures within Wyoming’s crypto community.
Caitlin Long, the founder of Custodia Bank and a key contributor to the state’s blockchain-friendly laws, publicly praised Hageman following reports of her interest, which shows that some industry advocates see her as a natural continuation of Lummis’ approach.
The broader backdrop adds weight to the moment. Lummis’ exit comes ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress will again be at stake and when unresolved crypto legislation could face further delays as campaigning intensifies.
Advocacy groups and industry stakeholders are watching closely, aware that the loss of a senior Senate advocate could reshape how quickly, or whether, long-debated crypto rules move forward.
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