The Blockchain Association is undergoing a leadership transition as CEO Summer Mersinger prepares to depart, with her role temporarily reverting to original CEO Kristin Smith.
Kristin Smith will take over as interim CEO after Mersinger exits post amid recent legislative challenges.
By Jesse Hamilton | Edited by Nikhilesh De Sep 25, 2026, 4:01 p.m. EDT
Summer Mersinger announced her resignation from the Blockchain Association, a prominent advocacy group within the cryptocurrency sector, just a week after the industry's setback with the failure of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in Congress.
Kristin Smith, the association's founding CEO who led the organization from its inception in 2018 until 15 months ago, will step in as interim CEO as of October 16. This transition comes on the heels of a significant legislative defeat, where the U.S. Senate rejected the Clarity Act, with opposition from all Democrats and several Republicans.
Mersinger expressed pride in the association's progress during her tenure, which included notable achievements such as the GENIUS Act and efforts to gain regulatory clarity from the SEC and CFTC. "Kristin built this association from the ground up, and BA is in good hands. I'll be cheering them on,” Mersinger remarked.
Smith, who left her previous role last year to become the president of the Solana Policy Institute, will retain her position on the Blockchain Association's board while taking on the interim CEO responsibilities. She acknowledged Mersinger's leadership during a pivotal period for crypto policy, which included the passage of the first major U.S. crypto law and the association's response to unprecedented regulatory activity.