‘Cast a vote, but don’t join a cult’ — Edward Snowden at Bitcoin 2024

Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who has been in exile in Russia since 2013, warned attendees at the Bitcoin 2024 conference about politicians trying to woo them over crypto.

In a July 26 speech held virtually at the crypto conference, Snowden said many lawmakers were trying to earn the “love” of Bitcoiners, hinting at those attending the Nashville event. He did not explicitly refer to US or international politicians, though US Senators Bill Hagerty, Cynthia Lummis, and Tim Scott addressed attendees in different panels shortly before Snowden spoke.

“Cast a vote, but don’t join a cult,” said Snowden. “They are not our tribe. They are not your personality. They have their own interests, their own values, their own things they’re chasing. Try to get what you need from them, but don’t give yourself to them, even if you have to vote for them.”