Rick Perry Voices Bitcoin Support

With bitcoin still struggling to gain mainstream approval, the cryptocurrency has been largely absent on the campaign trail for most of the 2016 Presidential hopefuls.

However, Republican candidate Rick Perry remarked in a New York Observer interview that he is in support of "regulatory breathing room" for digital currencies, giving bitcoin enthusiasts a reason to pay attention to the former Texas governor.

Progressive On Fintech

In the interview, Perry framed his views on the economy as progressive, criticizing some of his opponents from the Democrat party for being too close-minded about new startups. His openness to startup growth appeared to extend to those in the digital currency world, as he remarked that digital currency firms shouldn't be stifled by regulators.

Related Link: Could Mike Tyson Become The New Face For Bitcoin?

What Does It Mean?

The cryptocurrency community has latched on to Perry's "regulatory breathing room" comment, calling it a confirmation of his support for bitcoin. While Perry hasn't outwardly backed the currency, the phrase suggests that he would help support the growing industry should he make it to the White House.

While most agree that more regulation is needed in order to make bitcoin a viable option for the general public, supporters of digital currencies say that too much regulatory interference would undermine the general principal of establishing cryptocurrencies in the first place.

Bitcoin In The White House

Perry isn't the only candidate to give bitcoin a nod; earlier this year fellow Republican candidate Rand Paul announced that he would accept bitcoin donations to his campaign. Paul's decision to appeal to bitcoin donors not only exposed him to a new source of campaign funds, but positioned him as a cryptocurrency-friendly candidate.