Kristin Smith to lead Solana advocacy group

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, will step down from her role on May 16, 2025, to become the president of the newly launched Solana Policy Institute.

Smith’s departure marks the end of her six-year tenure leading one of the most influential crypto lobbying organisations in Washington, D.C.

The Blockchain Association announced Smith’s transition on April 1 but did not provide specific reasons for her move.

The association’s board is actively searching for her replacement.

During her time at the Blockchain Association, Smith played a central role in advocating for regulatory clarity and challenging enforcement actions by agencies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Under her leadership, the association grew to include over 125 member companies, including Coinbase and Ripple Labs.

The Solana Policy Institute was recently founded by Miller Whitehouse-Levine, former CEO of the DeFi Education Fund.

It aims to educate U.S. policymakers on decentralised networks like Solana and their role in shaping the future digital economy.

“It’s a whole pro-crypto army here in Washington right now, and it’s really heartening,” stated Smith, expressing optimism about her new role.

Smith’s move comes amid heightened legislative activity around cryptocurrency regulation in Congress.

Republican lawmakers are pushing for bills on stablecoins and market structure rules, hoping to pass them before the August recess.

The Solana Policy Institute plans to contribute to these discussions by advocating for decentralised technologies.

Smith has been a prominent voice in crypto policy debates, often criticising regulatory overreach.

Her departure from the Blockchain Association signals a shift in focus toward advancing Solana-specific (CRYPTO:SOL) initiatives while maintaining broader advocacy for the industry.

As Smith prepares to lead the Solana Policy Institute starting May 19, observers are watching how her leadership will shape the institute’s engagement with lawmakers and its influence on U.S. crypto policy development.

At the time of reporting, the Solana (SOL) price was $125.00.