CFTC’s Summer Mersinger to Lead Blockchain Association as CEO
Summer Mersinger will join the Blockchain Association as CEO, as the group ramps up crypto lobbying efforts ahead of key legislative decisions.
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The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is set to lose one of its most active members. Commissioner Summer Mersinger will step down on May 30 to take the helm of the leading crypto lobbying group, Blockchain Association.
Mersinger will officially begin her new role on June 2, succeeding Kristin Smith, who will depart on May 19 to lead the newly launched Solana Policy Institute.
The Blockchain Association is known for its influence in shaping digital asset legislation. Bringing a former regulator on board is expected to strengthen the group’s position as lawmakers prepare to debate key bills on stablecoins and broader crypto market oversight.
Mersinger’s Background and Policy Stance
Summer Mersinger’s appointment was approved by a special selection committee formed by the Blockchain Association’s board.
Before joining the CFTC, Mersinger:
- Held senior policy roles in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
- Served as an adviser to Senate Majority Whip John Thune
Nominated by former President Biden in 2021, her term at the CFTC was set to run through April 2028. However, she opted to step down early and declined reappointment.
During her tenure, Mersinger repeatedly called for greater coordination between the CFTC and SEC in crafting a unified regulatory framework for digital assets. In September 2024, she pushed back against the agency’s enforcement action targeting Uniswap Labs.
New Role at the Blockchain Association
The Blockchain Association counts major industry players like Coinbase, Ripple Labs, and Chainlink Labs among its members. According to board chair Marta Belcher, the incoming CEO’s main priority will be advancing legislation in Congress that establishes clear rules for crypto innovation.
We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Commissioner Mersinger as Blockchain Association’s new CEO,
Belcher said.
Mersinger takes the helm as lawmakers remain stalled on stablecoin legislation and debates continue over the U.S.’s strategic role in the global digital economy.
Related: U.S. Senate Postpones GENIUS Act Vote Amid Draft Gaps and Disagreements
Implications for the CFTC and the Market
Mersinger’s exit leaves the CFTC with just one remaining Republican—Acting Commissioner Caroline Pham—alongside two Democrats: Kristin Johnson and Christy Goldsmith Romero, who is expected to depart following the confirmation of Trump-nominated Brian Quintenz.
Once Quintenz is confirmed, the Senate will play a pivotal role in restoring partisan balance within the agency.
The shift in the Commission’s makeup could influence the pace of regulatory action on crypto spot markets. At the same time, the Blockchain Association’s leadership shake-up introduces a new layer to the evolving power dynamics between regulators and the crypto industry.
Related: The State of Crypto Regulation in 2025: Where the World Stands
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