Blockchain Association President Briefly Detained in Costa Rica by CoinEdition

by Arthur · April 14, 2023

Kristin Smith, president of the Blockchain Association, was detained in Liberia, Costa Rica, due to a missing passport stamp.
Smith requested the assistance of US Representatives Tom Emmer and Ro Khanna, to whose campaigns she had previously donated funds.
Later, Smith was released under the supervision of Costa Rican immigration officials.

Prominent crypto lobbyist Kristin Smith, president of the Blockchain Association, was arrested in Liberia, Costa Rica, this week after a vacation at a luxury resort. Smith reported her detention in a tweet directed at US Ambassador Cynthia Telles’ official account, asking for help.

Later that day, Smith announced her release from the airport detention center, saying: “The authorities here are telling us that our passports are missing an entry stamp. Apparently this is a very important stamp, and it is very bad if you do not have it.” She remained under the supervision of Costa Rican immigration officials while awaiting a flight to the United States

Smith also expressed gratitude to U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer (R., Minn.) and Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) for helping her contact the U.S. Embassy. She had previously donated $55,800 to Emmer and $5,800 to Khanna ahead of the 2022 election. So far, neither lawmaker has commented on the matter, and a spokesman for the Blockchain Association confirmed Thursday night that Smith was on his way home.

Earlier, Smith commented to FTX’s Sam Bankman during her appearance on a podcast. Smith alleged that Bankman had spent more time personally lobbying lawmakers in Washington, DC, than any other executive she had met in her 20-year career.

“Sam testified before Congress several times, he had incredibly detailed proposals [Commodities Future Trading Commission] and also legislatively that he worked on,” she said.

Furthermore, Smith described Bankman’s extensive efforts in meeting with members of Congress, management and staff, including taking them out for drinks. “I have never seen, in my more than 20-year career in Washington, a leader spend so much time personally lobbying on Capitol Hill,” she added.

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