- Summer Mersinger succeeds Kristin Smith as Blockchain Association CEO on 2 June 2025.
- Mersinger brings with her 20+ years in public policy and regulatory expertise.
- Her appointment comes as debate on US crypto policy intensifies and legislation efforts face hurdles.
The Blockchain Association has announced that Summer Mersinger, current Commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), will be taking over as CEO effective 2 June 2025. Bringing more than 20 years of experience in public policy, law, and financial regulation, Mersinger is expected to steer the Association through a pivotal period as the US crypto industry faces mounting regulatory challenges.
Since her 2022 appointment to the CFTC by former US President Joe Biden, Mersinger has been instrumental in shaping federal oversight of financial markets including digital assets.
Her deep knowledge of both legislative and regulatory processes uniquely positions her to advocate for innovation-friendly frameworks at a time when debates on digital-asset legislation in Washington are intensifying.
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Leadership Change Comes Amid Evolving US Crypto Policy
Since President Donald Trump’s return to office, he has ordered the creation of a cryptocurrency working group to propose digital asset regulations and has signed an executive order to establish a federal Bitcoin reserve.
Meanwhile, the crypto industry’s push for comprehensive legislation regulating digital assets is facing pushback – with a senate bill designed to establish oversight for stablecoins failing to clear a procedural hurdle last week – underscoring the need for sustained advocacy and legislative progress.
Marta Belcher, President of the Board of Blockchain Association, said in a statement, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Commissioner Mersinger as Blockchain Association’s new CEO”.
This is a pivotal moment for crypto policy, and we are confident that she is the ideal leader to take Blockchain Association, and the industry, to new heights.
Marta Belcher, President of the Association’s Board.Mersinger succeeds founding CEO Kristin Smith, who steps down after growing the organisation from a single staffer to a coalition of over 125 leading crypto companies. Smith will depart on 16 May to join the Solana Policy Institute and Sarah Milby, Blockchain Association’s Head of Policy, will serve as interim CEO until Mersinger takes over formally.
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