Khurram Dara, a former policy counsel at Coinbase, is contemplating a run for New York State Attorney General in 2026. His possible candidacy aims to succeed incumbent Letitia James, who has faced criticism over aggressive legal actions targeting the crypto sector.

Dara, a Columbia Law School graduate, has yet to make a final decision but hinted that digital assets and regulatory reform could be central to his platform. He has publicly supported figures like Tornado Cash co-founder Roman Storm, recently convicted in federal court, and challenged prominent critics of cryptocurrency, such as Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Dara stated his campaign focus would be to end ‘lawfare,’ a tactic where legal systems are used to unfairly target the crypto industry. He emphasized that while crypto was on the recent ballot and gained support, some state attorneys general are overstepping their bounds by enacting policies typically reserved for federal regulators, creating uncertainty for the crypto community.

Currently, Letitia James, who has held the attorney general position since 2019, actively pursues crypto-related lawsuits to protect New Yorkers. Notable cases have targeted firms and individuals like Genesis, Alex Mashinsky, NovaTech, and KuCoin. New York’s status as a major commerce and fintech hub makes the attorney general role crucial in shaping crypto regulation and enforcement.

The crypto industry views New York as a key jurisdiction for innovation and growth. Dara advocates embracing this dynamic community instead of imposing harsh regulations, advocating for fair treatment without litigation-driven policies.

A December 2024 Siena College poll reported Letitia James has a 40% favorability rating among New Yorkers. Republican Michael Henry is another declared candidate for the 2026 election, having previously received about 45% of votes in 2022 against James.

Dara’s background also includes roles such as an intern in the New York State Senate and the US House of Representatives, and a law clerk for the US Attorney’s Office. If he runs, he would be one of the notable Republicans with crypto legal experience challenging Democratic incumbents, following examples like John Deaton’s 2024 Senate run against Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts.

Stay tuned to Coinstelegram for in-depth coverage of this emerging political and regulatory development in the crypto sphere.