Blockchain Association Shakes Up Leadership Amid Regulatory Shifts

The Blockchain Association is undergoing leadership changes as CEO Summer Mersinger will step down on October 16. She will remain an adviser until the end of 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. Taking over as interim CEO from October 17 is Kristin Smith, who previously served as the organization's chief executive from its founding in 2018 until June 2025.

Smith's return comes at a critical time for the crypto industry, which has seen significant regulatory developments and shifting policy priorities in recent years. The Blockchain Association has been actively engaged with lawmakers and agencies on issues such as stablecoin legislation, securities classification, DeFi, tokenization, prediction markets, and the SEC-CFTC jurisdiction divide.

Mersinger's tenure coincided with a period of rapid change in U.S. digital-asset policy, including new stablecoin legislation and detailed guidance from federal regulators. The organization credited her with helping steer it through these developments and increasing its engagement with lawmakers and agencies.