Khurram Dara, a former policy lawyer at Coinbase, has announced his candidacy for New York Attorney General, aiming to challenge current AG Letitia James. Dara, who also served as a regulatory principal at Bain Capital Crypto, launched his campaign on November 21, criticizing James' approach to crypto regulation. He argues that her policies, including the use of the Martin Act, unfairly target the crypto industry, increasing costs for New Yorkers. Dara's campaign focuses on reforming the BitLicense, New York's stringent regulatory framework for digital assets, which he claims has driven crypto businesses out of the state. Despite his ambitions, Dara faces significant challenges as a Republican in a predominantly Democratic state, where James has previously won by large margins. The race highlights the growing political influence of the crypto industry, which has been increasingly active in lobbying and campaign contributions.