Washington, D.C.-based Blockchain Association, a trade association representing the crypto industry, recently named Summer Mersinger as its next CEO, effective June 2.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Commissioner Mersinger as Blockchain Association’s new CEO,” Marta Belcher, Blockchain Association president of the board, said. “This is a pivotal moment for crypto policy, and we are confident that she is the ideal leader to take Blockchain Association, and the industry, to new heights.”
Mersinger has more than 20 years of public policy and regulatory experience. She is Commodity Futures Trading Commission commissioner, a role she will continue to hold until May 30. In this role, she has been instrumental in shaping federal regulatory policy in the financial markets, including policies impacting digital assets.
Prior to joining the commission, Mersinger was a longtime adviser to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (D-ND) and held senior staff roles in both chambers of Congress.
Mersinger’s “deep understanding of legislative and regulatory processes uniquely positions her to lead Blockchain Association in advocating for thoughtful, forward-looking digital asset policy,” the association said.
Mersinger succeeds Kristin Smith who left the company on Friday. Sarah Milby, Blockchain Association head of policy, will serve as interim CEO until Mersinger assumes the role.