Summer Mersinger, a former commissioner at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission, will step down as CEO of the Blockchain Association at the end of 2026. She joined the advocacy group in June 2025 after resigning from her federal position before the end of her second term.
The organization announced that Mersinger will officially leave her post on October 16. Kristin Smith, the former chief executive of the Blockchain Association, is set to return to the role as interim CEO to lead the group during the transition period.
The leadership change follows the failure of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in the US Senate. The bill did not secure sufficient support from lawmakers during a cloture motion earlier this month, and experts anticipate the legislation will remain stalled until 2027.
During her tenure, Mersinger focused on promoting the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act. She also worked on initiatives aimed at providing regulatory clarity regarding the operations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the CFTC.
