This year crypto emerged as a political force, with many Washington DC-based lobbyists fomenting the charge. Executive Director of the Blockchain Association Kristin Smith, a former congressional staffer and familiar face on the hill, has been the voice for much of this changemaking. Her work sometimes happens behind closed doors – educating Senators and helping craft policy – though her most influential acts come in representing the cryptocurrency industry through countless op-eds, speaking engagements and a professional online presence.
Going deeper: “We have a choice: Continue to nurture the nascent crypto industry in this country or let the demons of our partisan political system hamper the next wave of cutting-edge financial technology,” Smith wrote in a CoinDesk op-ed.
The Complete List: CoinDesk’s Most Influential 2021
