Blockchain Leader Kristin Smith Joins Solana Advocacy Group
The CEO of the US-based Blockchain Association, Kristin Smith, is leaving the role to lead the recently launched Solana Policy Institute as its chief.
On April 1, the Blockchain Association (BA) said Smith will step down as CEO on May 16. One week later, she is set to take on the president role at the Solana Policy Institute, a company educating U.S. policymakers about the Solana blockchain network.
Solana Policy Institute Poised to Influence Regulation
This transition lands a heavy blow to the Blockchain Association as Smith was one of its key players since joining in 2018. Previous work includes her service as the deputy chief of staff for former Montana Representative Denny Rehberg. The BA”s spokesperson did not provide a specific reason for her transition or name a successor to the leaving head of the organization.
The industry reshuffling is only being augmented by Smith, who is not the only famous player jumping on the Solana-themed bandwagon. CEO of Solana Policy Institute, Miller Whitehouse-Levine, is also leaving his position as the DeFi Education Fund’s CEO to step into a new role.
The institute’s main purpose is to educate policymakers and promote baseline understanding of what Solana is, Whitehouse-Levine indicated in a tweet.
It’s a sign that advocates for Solana are increasing their efforts to play a major role in regulatory conversations across the U.S. as the country crafts its policies around digital assets. Smith and Whitehouse-Levine are expected to be instrumental in making the Solana Policy Institute one of the most active blockchain policy advocates.
Despite the absence of current Blockchain Association leadership, this shift in cryptocurrency strategy is set to see digital assets enter a new era of regulatory dialogue in the United States.
