Cryptocurrency Lawyer in California
Astraea Counsel represents crypto and digital-asset businesses in California and nationwide — token launches, licensing, custody, and enforcement defense — led by counsel trained as a summer honors intern in the SEC's Cyber Unit and at the world's largest law firms.
Lead attorney: Chanté Eliaszadeh, Founder & Principal
- Licensed in California · State Bar No. 335803 — verify
- Consultations scheduled directly with the attorney, not an intake desk
When founders call us
- You are structuring a token launch and need it to survive SEC scrutiny
- You need money transmitter licenses or a California DFAL strategy before you onboard customers
- An exchange, custody, or payments product needs a state-by-state licensing plan
- The SEC, CFTC, or DFPI has sent an inquiry, subpoena, or Wells notice
- Your fund, DAO, or protocol needs formation and governance counsel that understands the technology
What engagement gets you
- Token offering structures — Regulation D SAFTs, Regulation S, and exemption analysis grounded in how the SEC actually reviews offerings
- Money transmitter licensing and California DFAL compliance, sequenced state by state around your launch map
- Custody, reserve, and BSA/AML compliance programs built to SEC, FinCEN, and state examination standards
- Enforcement defense from first subpoena through Wells submission
- Outside general counsel: Big Law-caliber crypto counsel without the bureaucracy
Recognition
- Astraea Counsel ranked in Chambers USA: Spotlight 2026 — Fintech (Los Angeles)
- Lawdragon 500 X — The Next Generation: Crypto Regulation, Disputes, Blockchain (2026), Chanté Eliaszadeh
- 2024 Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award, The Burton Awards — Chanté Eliaszadeh, co-author (White & Case)
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America — Commercial Litigation (2027), Brandon Orewyler
- Summer honors intern, Cyber Unit, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2018), Chanté Eliaszadeh
- Invited speaker: American Bar Association Business Law Section, Korea Blockchain Week (BIF25), ETHDenver, GRR Live, Blockchain Law for Social Good Conference, Art Basel Miami, and Berkeley Law; keynote, Computational Law & Blockchain Festival
Common Questions
Do you only represent California companies?
No. The practice is national — federal securities, commodities, and FinCEN questions plus multistate licensing — with California depth for DFPI and DFAL matters. Most clients are startups and funds building across state lines.
What experience backs the crypto practice?
Chanté Eliaszadeh trained as a summer honors intern in the SEC's Cyber Unit, then spent five years on digital-asset matters at the world's largest law firms, including representing creditors in the Genesis and Celsius bankruptcies and a buyer and a creditor in FTX.
What does a first consultation cover?
A structured read of your product, token, or licensing posture; the regulatory perimeter that actually applies; and a prioritized compliance or defense plan with concrete next steps.
Book a Call With Chanté Eliaszadeh
Pick a time that works for you — a 15-minute introductory call, no forms, no waiting.
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