Blockchain Association announces leadership transition

The Blockchain Association has announced a leadership transition, with Summer Mersinger stepping down as CEO on October 16. Kristin Smith, the organization’s founding employee and former CEO, will return as interim CEO starting October 17 while the group searches for a permanent successor.

Smith will maintain her current role as president of the Solana Policy Institute during this period. Mersinger, who joined the association in June 2025 following her service as a commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, will remain with the group as an advisor through the end of the year to facilitate the transition.

The change occurs amid a period of significant activity regarding digital-asset legislation and regulation in the United States. This follows recent legislative developments, including the Senate's failure to move the Clarity Act forward in mid-September.