Summer Mersinger will resign as CEO of the Blockchain Association on October 16, 2026. She will continue to serve as an advisor to the organization until the end of the year. Mersinger joined the group in June 2025 after serving as a commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Kristin Smith, a founding member and current board president, will assume the role of interim CEO starting October 17, 2026. Smith will concurrently maintain her leadership position at the Solana Policy Institute. The association has initiated a search for a permanent successor.
The leadership change follows a legislative setback on September 15, 2026, when the Senate rejected the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in a 49-50 vote. The bill aimed to establish a regulatory framework for the crypto industry.
During Mersinger's tenure, the Blockchain Association conducted over 300 meetings with congressional and agency staff. Additionally, the group organized seven member fly-ins throughout 2026 to support its advocacy efforts.
