Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith to Head Solana Policy Institute

After nearly seven years at the helm, Kristin Smith has announced she will leave her role as CEO of the Blockchain Association on May 16, 2025. Though no official reason was cited, she is set to assume leadership of the Solana Policy Institute.

The Institute, a newly established nonprofit, aims to expand Solana’s visibility and impact among American policymakers and the broader public, anchoring the blockchain in the national Web3 conversation.

Under Smith’s leadership, what began as a grassroots group became a national force—over 125 crypto companies represented, coordinated by a lean team of 17.

The Blockchain Association credits Smith with not only amplifying industry voices but also driving the conversation toward modern regulatory frameworks that meet the unique challenges of digital assets.

“Her passion for the industry and her ability to bridge the gap between technology and policy have left an indelible mark on our organization and the broader blockchain ecosystem. We are deeply grateful for her contributions and wish her the best in her next chapter,” said Marta Belcher, the Association’s board president.

Throughout her tenure, Smith led the charge in legal disputes with federal agencies, as the Association became a central figure in debates over crypto policy—challenging overreach by institutions like the SEC and IRS.

Check this out: Kristin Smith: The Voice of the Crypto Industry on Capitol Hill

Solana Policy Institute

Kristin Smith’s next move brings her deeper into the policy frontier of Web3. As she steps into the presidency of the Solana Policy Institute, her career comes full circle—still rooted in advocacy, but now aligned with a specific protocol and a wider mission.

The Institute will act as a nonprofit think tank, working to elevate Solana’s profile in legislative spaces while also defending the larger values of the crypto ecosystem.

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Its goal is not only to support one blockchain, but to nurture a culture of collaboration between innovators and lawmakers—a space where code and policy might finally speak the same language.

Though her full vision is still under wraps, Kristin Smith’s next move has already stirred interest across the policy and crypto worlds. Analysts believe her role at the Solana Policy Institute could inject urgency and originality into the ongoing discourse around Web3 regulation.

“This isn’t goodbye to the industry I love – just a shift in perspective. I will start as President of Solana Policy Institute on May 19 to continue this incredible journey,” Smith wrote.

Her exit leaves a gap at a crucial time for the Blockchain Association, as the crypto industry faces mounting pressure from regulators. A replacement has not yet been named, but the organization promises a leadership pick that will keep its high-impact momentum alive.

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