2025
Golden Age
of Crypto

Message
from
Our CEO

Blocks

As 2025 draws to a close, the digital asset industry stands united in purpose and progress. At Blockchain Association, we’ve worked deliberately to cultivate this unity, by convening diverse voices, forging consensus on complex issues, and translating that shared vision into effective advocacy. The result is the most credible coordinated industry voice in Washington, one that is constructive, principled, and trusted.

This year, we demonstrated our unity’s effective power. Policymakers across both parties continued to come to Blockchain Association and our members for expertise and collaboration, recognizing that sound policy begins with clear understanding, and that our industry speaks with a chorus of strong voices towards achievable goals.

It hardly needs to be said that 2025 was a milestone year for our industry. The President’s signing of the GENIUS Act stands as proof of what we can achieve together. This landmark legislation — the first comprehensive digital asset law in U.S. history — didn’t emerge overnight. This success was the product of years of advocacy, countless member working sessions where we aligned on priorities, bipartisan engagement with dozens of congressional offices, and the disciplined unity that allowed us to speak clearly and consistently throughout the legislative process.

When members of Congress needed to understand the technology, the use cases, and the stakes, they found our industry ready with aligned perspectives and constructive solutions. It’s clear that GENIUS would not have become law without your tireless engagement, expertise, and advocacy.

But this is only the beginning. The GENIUS Act laid the foundation for a more transparent and innovation-friendly regulatory environment. Yet, much work remains to bring these principles to life. As agencies begin implementation and new legislation moves forward, our unified perspective will matter more than ever. Our mission hasn’t changed: to ensure the rules of the road are clear, consistent, and aligned in order to secure America’s global leadership in this vital technology.

This year, we also deepened bipartisan collaboration on market structure and stablecoin frameworks, engaged regulators in open dialogue, and strengthened our position as the trusted voice for responsible innovation. Behind every success was the same formula: bringing members together early, building consensus thoughtfully, and presenting unified positions that carried weight because they represented genuine industry alignment.

Our collective strength lies in that unity and Blockchain Association’s role is to nurture and channel it effectively. Your insights, your expertise, and your willingness to collaborate drive everything we accomplish. Every comment letter, working group meeting, Capitol Hill education session, and public statement reflects our commitment to speaking with one voice — not because we agree on everything, but because we’ve done the hard work of finding common ground on what matters most.

Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and your voice. The progress of 2025 is proof of what we can accomplish together. The future for Blockchain Association — and our industry — is bright.

Timeline of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Association

2009

Bitcoin, the world’s first cryptocurrency, launches

2015

Ethereum, the second largest cryptocurrency, launches

2016

Congressional Blockchain Caucus founded during the 114th United States Congress

2018 September

Blockchain Association is founded. Executive Director Kristin Smith was its first employee

2022 November

Inaugural BA Policy Summit in Washington

2023 December

BA hosts National Security (NatSec) fly-in, meeting with 30 offices on Capitol Hill

2024 January

BA submits comment letter in response to FinCEN’s proposed mixing rule

2024 February

BA publishes NatSec letter with 80 distinguished signatories

2024 February

BA files amicus brief in support of Kraken against the SEC

2024 April

BA files amicus brief In DOJ’s case against Tornado Cash developers

2024 April

BA and the Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas sue SEC over Dealer Rule

2024 April

BA files amicus brief in support of Coinbase’s interlocutory appeal to the Second Circuit

2024 April

BA submits comment letter in response to the Department of Commerce’s proposed rule on IaaS providers

2024 May

BA writes letter to President Biden encouraging passage of H.J.Res. 109 to strike down SAB 121

2024 May

BA submits supplemental comment letter in response to the SEC’s proposed Safeguarding Rule

2024 June

BA submits comment letter addressing the IRS’s proposed Broker Rule under the Paperwork Reduction Act

2024 July

BA files amicus brief in support of Custodia Bank’s appeal against the Fed

2024 August

BA and the DeFi Education Fund file amicus brief to support challenge against SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail

2024 August

SEC files Reply Brief in Blockchain Association and the Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas dealer lawsuit

2024 October

BA and DeFi Education Fund submit comment letter in response to joint agency proposal under the Financial Data Transparency Act

2024 October

BA and Crypto Council for Innovation submit amicus brief in support of Beba and DeFi Education Fund’s lawsuit against the SEC

2024 October

BA submits supplemental comment letter regarding the IRS’s proposed Broker Rule under the PRA

2024 November

RegulationbyEnforcement.com is launched, publicizing the SEC’s targeted campaign against the industry

2024 November

A pro-crypto president and the most pro-crypto Congress ever are elected

2024 November

BA and CFAT prevail against the SEC – Dealer Rule is struck down by U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

2024 December

BA submits comment letter in SEC’s lawsuit against Ian Balina

2024 December

Third annual Policy Summit takes place in Washington, D.C.

2025 January

Trump Administration engages BA early on digital asset priorities, signaling a friendlier federal posture toward blockchain innovation

2025 January

Blockchain Association unveils Digital Asset Market Structure Principles designed to guide the development of digital asset market structure policy

2025 February

BA launches 23 working groups to forge industry consensus and policy priorities

2025 February

SEC drops appeal in BA’s Dealer Rule case, cementing BA and Crypto Freedom Alliance of Texas’s 2024 courtroom victory

2025 June

Former CFTC Commissioner Summer Mersinger joins as CEO, succeeding Kristin Smith

2025 June

Inaugural Summit Series event launches in Washington, D.C.

2025 June

The Senate passes the GENIUS Act

2025 July

BA CEO Summer Mersinger testifies before the Senate Banking Committee on the need for digital asset regulation

2025 July

In partnership with Chainlink, BA launches first-of-itskind state scorecard on crypto innovation friendliness

2025 July

BA CEO Summer Mersinger testifies before the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on digital asset tax policy

2025 July

The House passes the CLARITY Act

2025 July

President Trump signs the GENIUS Act into law, a major milestone for digital asset policy

2025 September

GENIUS Act defense campaign launched to counter banking-lobby attempts to weaken the new framework

2025 October

BA “Listening Tour” expands to major cities including San Francisco and New York to meet members and gather feedback

2025 October

BA launches strategic partnership with The North American Blockchain Association to join forces on ensuring that state policymakers understand the GENIUS Act and can effectively develop supporting state-level regulations

2025 December

Fourth annual Policy Summit takes place in Washington, D.C.

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