The Legal Landscape for DAOs: Key Lessons from Lido DAO and Ooki DAO
As is the case with much of the blockchain industry, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are unique. The existence of a DAO does not necessarily imply the existence of a legal entity or an intent to share profits. Rather, a DAO is composed of a decentralized group of governance tokenholders who can direct the development of a blockchain ecosystem.
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SEC’s New Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit Focuses on Bad Actors and ‘Judicious’ Enforcement
On February 20, the SEC announced the creation of the CETU, which will replace the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit and be led by its former co-chief, Laura D’Allaird. In 2022, the SEC nearly doubled the size of the Crypto Assets and Cyber Unit with 50 dedicated positions, whereas the CETU is anticipated to have about 30. This restructuring may suggest a further shift in the SEC’s enforcement approach both in terms of size and focus.
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Meet CFTC Nominee Brian Quintenz
On February 12, President Donald Trump nominated Brian Quintenz to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This article profiles Quintenz as a nominee, surveys Pham’s initiatives as acting chair, and considers potential next steps for the CFTC pending Quintenz’s confirmation.
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President’s Crypto Advisor Commits to Progressing New Reg. Framework as Congressional Working Group is Announced
Trump Administration AI and Crypto Special Advisor David Sacks focused on stablecoin legislation and a potential crypto regulatory framework during a press conference on February 4.
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SEC’s Crypto Task Force Sets Regulatory Priorities as Enforcement Focus Shifts
The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new Crypto Task Force announced its 10 initial priorities on February 4. In her statement, titled “The Journey Begins,” SEC Commissioner and task force chair Hester Peirce likened the SEC’s prior “crypto road trip” to an era of paper maps and unclear detours as she signaled a shift toward establishing more pragmatic, legally sound rules for digital assets, while maintaining investor protections.
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The Rise (and Risks) of AI Agents in Crypto
As artificial intelligence continues to transform multiple industries, AI agents have emerged as one of the most promising—and compelling—applications of AI in the crypto space. From automated trading bots, to token-powered “personalities,” to applications that streamline the execution of crypto transactions, AI agents have the potential to redefine how users interact with digital assets and make decentralized finance more accessible.
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Crypto Regulatory Updates
- Senators Introduce Joint Resolution on Revoking DeFi Broker Reporting Regulations
- How the Current SEC Could Affect Ongoing Crypto Enforcement and ‘Impact Litigation’
- President Trump Signs Executive Order to Form Working Group With Stated Goal of Making the US the ‘World Capital’ of Crypto, AI
- Crypto Week in Review (January 20–24, 2025)
- New SEC Crypto Task Force Led by Commissioner Hester Peirce: Key Takeaways and Path Forward
- Looking Under the Hood of $TRUMP's Legal Strategy
- IRS Final Broker Reporting Regulations for DeFi
- Tokenized Real-World Assets: Pathways to SEC Registration
- Partner Mark Jansen Cited in USPTO Report to Congress on NFTs
- Q3 2024 Crypto Litigation and Enforcement - Key Takeaways and Updates
- Q3 2024 Quarter in Review Webinar (Registration Required)
- H1 2024 Crypto Litigation and Enforcement - Key Takeaways and Updates
- Q1 2024 Quarter in Review Webinar (Registration Required)
- SEC Finalizes “Dealer” Regulation – Uncertain Impact to Cryptoasset Market Participants
- FASB Issues Significant Update on Accounting for Crypto Assets
- SEC’s Crypto Accounting Bulletin Determined Procedurally Deficient
- Fenwick Writes Comment Letter Regarding the Taxation of Digital Assets to the Senate Committee on Finance
- IRS Releases Proposed Regulations on Digital Asset Transaction Reporting
- IRS Issues Revenue Ruling 2023-14 on Staking
- SEC v. Ripple Labs: Securities Law Analysis Under Howey Applied On A Transaction-By-Transaction Basis
- Exploring Legal and Regulatory Considerations for DAOs
- Navigating Taxation Challenges and IRS Audits in the Current Web3 Landscape
Where to Find Us
ETH Denver 2025
February 28, 2025
ETHDenver is one of the largest annual Ethereum-based hackathons and conferences, gathering developers, entrepreneurs, blockchain enthusiasts, and industry experts from around the world to collaborate, innovate, and build decentralized applications and blockchain solutions on the Ethereum platform.
Fenwick's Rebecca Matsumura will be speaking on a panel titled, What is a Partnership and Why Isn't My DAO One? at 2:00pm, on the Regeneratooor Main Stage.
Additionally, join Fenwick at our Mountain Time Lounge Mixer, an event bringing together the vibrant community attending ETHDenver for an evening of connections, collaboration, and celebration.
RSVP here to secure your spot.
AI Agents in Crypto: Paradigm Shift or Just a Meme?
March 5, 2025
Join Fenwick attorneys Andrew Klungness, Julia Arruda Rosenthal, Kevin Kirby and Jonathan Edwards as they dive into the emerging world of crypto-powered AI agents and the legal issues with autonomously directed software.
Register for the Webinar
Quarter in Review: Crypto Litigation and Enforcement Updates
March 20, 2025
Join Fenwick litigation partner Dave Feder and associate Rebecca Matsumura for the third session in a quarterly series of updates on the latest cryptocurrency and digital asset disputes, enforcement actions, and key rulings. Corporate associate Christopher Crawford will moderate the discussion.
Register for the Webinar