Crypto Advocate Christine Smith Leaves Blockchain Association for New Solana Group
Smith, the head of one of the most respected lobbying groups in the area, will leave her position in May to become president of the Solana Policy Institute, her association said.
By Jesse Hamilton | Allotted to Nikhilesh De Updated 1 sq. 2025, 7:20 pm Published 1 quarter. RUR 2025, 7:01 pm Translated by AI
What you need to know:
- Christine Smith, longtime CEO of the Blockchain Association, will step down next month to take up the post of president of the Solana Policy Institute, according to a statement.
- Smith, a former congressional aide, has been a leading figure in cryptocurrency lobbying for nearly seven years.
Christine Smith, the longtime CEO of the Blockchain Association, a key cryptocurrency policy lobbying group in Washington, will leave her post next month to become president of the new Solana Policy Institute, according to an announcement made Tuesday.
“I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and am confident that the organization has a bright future,” Smith said in a statement.
Earlier this week, Miller Whitehouse-Lewin launched the organisation and announced his role as CEO shortly after leaving the Defi education foundation.
While the group has not yet specified the source of its funding, its website states that it will focus on “how decentralized networks like Solana represent the future of the digital economy.”
Smith has led the Blockchain Association for nearly seven years, a significant period for the burgeoning industry. Since late last year, the political landscape has strengthened for the sector as it has found allies at all levels of the U.S. government, where cryptocurrency advocates have long sought a comprehensive set of regulations.
The Blockchain Association plays a key role in lobbying for the interests of the industry.
The organization said its board of directors is currently searching for a replacement for Smith.
Whitehouse-Levin previously worked in the association's political operations department.
“Innovators deserve the clarity they need to create a seamless global economy powered by the Internet – a future we believe is achievable with the right laws, regulations and structures in place,” he said in a statement at the launch of the Solana group this week.
UPDATE (April 1, 2025, 19:09 UTC): Added comment from Christine Smith.
