Solana Heads to DC: SPI Hires Political Heavyweight to Boost Its Crypto Clout

The Solana Policy Institute just got serious about Washington — and they’ve got the receipts.

The Solana Policy Institute (SPI), a fresh lobbying arm pushing for Solana’s interests in U.S. policy circles, has made a power move: hiring Colin McLaren as its new Director of Engagement. If the name rings a bell, it's because McLaren’s been in the trenches of crypto advocacy — with deep ties to both the crypto industry and Capitol Hill.

🧠 Who Is Colin McLaren?

McLaren’s resume reads like a crypto-political greatest hits:

• Former Engagement Director at Cedar Innovation Foundation — a group known for lobbying alongside crypto giants like Coinbase and Ripple.
• Ran national ad campaigns pushing back against crypto-unfriendly lawmakers.
• Worked on major U.S. presidential campaigns (yep, that includes Biden, Bloomberg, and Harris).
• Helped craft public affairs strategies that actually move the needle in Washington.

Now he’s bringing that energy to SPI, with a clear mission: translate Solana’s real-world impact into language that policymakers understand.

🧩 Bridging Blockchain and the Beltway

At SPI, McLaren’s job is more than just schmoozing senators:

• He’ll educate lawmakers on how Solana and blockchain tech solve real problems.
• He’s expected to highlight use cases from the Solana ecosystem that show how decentralized tech drives innovation and economic growth.
• According to SPI CEO Miller Whitehouse-Levine, McLaren’s ability to “thread the technical with the tangible” is exactly what crypto policy needs right now.

👀 A Strategic Power Play

McLaren isn’t joining alone. Just a week before, SPI brought on Kristin Smith, former CEO of the Blockchain Association, as its new president. Together with Whitehouse-Levine (ex-CEO of the DeFi Education Fund), they’re building an all-star team to take crypto policy mainstream.

SPI isn’t just another think tank — it's becoming a serious player in Washington, and Solana is front and center.

⚖️ What’s SPI Actually Doing?

SPI is a nonprofit focused on:

• Educating policymakers about decentralized networks — especially Solana.
• Pushing for regulatory clarity so builders can innovate without legal minefields.
• Building a bipartisan coalition to support pro-crypto legislation.

McLaren’s political fluency and crypto background make him the perfect bridge between tech and government.

💬 McLaren’s Take

“Solana represents the cutting edge of what’s possible with blockchain technology,” says McLaren.
“I’m thrilled to join SPI and help policymakers see the real-world economic and social impact this ecosystem can create.”

🚀 What’s Next?

SPI is gearing up for a major advocacy push in the coming months:

• More outreach to lawmakers from both parties.
• Bigger spotlight on real-world Solana success stories.
• A clear push to shape future crypto regulation in the U.S.

And with McLaren leading engagement strategy, SPI isn’t just talking the talk — they’re walking it straight into Congress.

TL;DR: Why This Matters

• SPI hired Colin McLaren, a seasoned political operative with crypto ties, to boost its influence in DC.
• McLaren has worked with big-name campaigns and crypto advocacy orgs.
• His mission: show U.S. lawmakers that Solana isn’t just hype — it’s innovation with real-world impact.
• SPI is leveling up its presence in Washington with a powerhouse team and a clear agenda.
• Expect more policy plays from SPI soon — and Solana in the middle of the conversation.