Companies have donated a record $646 million to U.S. political campaigns in the 18 months through June, according to new data from the watchdog group Public Citizen. The total marks a 40 percent increase over the entire 2024 presidential election cycle.

Crypto, online betting, and artificial intelligence sectors drove much of the surge, contributing $344 million combined, or more than half of all corporate donations. The crypto industry remained the largest single corporate donor, while sports betting firms including DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and bet365 poured roughly $76 million into races for candidates in both parties.

Manufacturing conglomerate Koch Inc. also featured prominently among top spenders. Big Tobacco and cannabis companies directed significant sums, primarily to Republican candidates. The figures cover only disclosed contributions and do not include dark money groups.

Spending has accelerated through corporate-aligned super PACs that prioritize industry interests over party loyalty. Earlier reports from June placed the cycle total at $517 million, already surpassing the prior record of $461 million for the full 2024 cycle. The updated $646 million figure through mid-2026 underscores how months remain before the November 3 midterms for the House and one-third of the Senate.

Public Citizen noted that these industries have adopted strategies first used by crypto firms in 2024, routing funds through networks of super PACs and affiliate committees. The total represents nearly one-third of all corporate political spending since the 2010 Citizens United decision.

Election observers expect the final corporate total to climb further as contests intensify in the remaining weeks. The data highlights the growing role of newer sectors in federal races amid ongoing debates over regulation in emerging industries.