Most Influential 2021: Kristin Smith

The Blockchain Association’s executive director is one of crypto’s staunchest advocates on the Hill.

(Adam Levine/CoinDesk)

This year, crypto emerged as a political force, with many Washington-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 change-making. 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

(Kevin Ross/CoinDesk)
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Diversified RWA stablecoins sustain 5-7% yield from real credit as crypto funding compresses to ~4%. GENIUS pushes yield off-chain; TAM grows to $4B in 3 years.

Why it matters:

Diversified RWA stablecoins sustain 5-7% yield from real credit as crypto funding compresses to ~4%. GENIUS pushes yield off-chain; TAM grows to $4B in 3 years.