Insights & Resources
Analysis, commentary, and practical guidance on digital asset law and emerging technologies.
About These Insights: The articles and content on this page are provided for general informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading, commenting on, or sharing this content. The law changes frequently, and the information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice about your specific situation, please consult with a qualified attorney.
November 15, 2025
AI Model Training Data Rights: Copyright, Fair Use, and Licensing
Training AI models on copyrighted data creates infringement risk. Active litigation against OpenAI, Stability AI, and GitHub Copilot highlights the stakes. This guide covers fair use analysis, licensing options, and risk mitigation strategies.
Read More →November 12, 2025
Federal AI Regulation Landscape: What's Coming in 2025-2026
Federal AI regulation is coming. Track pending legislation (Algorithmic Accountability Act, AI Transparency Act), agency rulemaking (FTC, NIST), and Executive Order 14110 implementation—with compliance timelines and strategic preparation guidance.
Read More →November 8, 2025
DAO Employment vs. Contributor Classification: IRS & Labor Law Guide
Misclassifying DAO contributors as contractors when they're employees triggers IRS penalties ($50-$1K per form), back payroll taxes, and labor law violations. This guide covers classification tests, token compensation taxation, and compliance frameworks.
Read More →November 5, 2025
DAO Token Launch Legal Checklist: Securities Law and Governance Design
Launching a DAO governance token requires securities law analysis, compliant distribution mechanics, and proper governance design. This checklist covers Howey Test analysis, airdrop strategies, and legal compliance ($50K-$200K+) with real DAO examples.
Read More →November 1, 2025
DAO LLC Formation Guide: Step-by-Step Wyoming DUNA Setup
Form a Wyoming DAO LLC in 4-8 weeks with this step-by-step guide. Covers filing requirements, costs ($15K-$50K legal fees), operating agreement provisions, smart contract integration, and governance structure for liability protection.
Read More →October 29, 2025
DeFi Protocol Legal Structure: LLC, Foundation, or Unincorporated DAO?
Choosing the right legal structure for your DeFi protocol determines liability exposure, tax treatment, and regulatory risk. Compare LLC, foundation, and DAO options with real examples (Uniswap, Compound, Lido) and cost estimates ($5K-$150K+).
Read More →October 25, 2025
Circle's USDC Compliance Playbook: Lessons from the Market Leader
Circle's USDC ($65B+ circulation) sets the gold standard for stablecoin compliance. This case study examines their reserve structure, attestation approach, licensing strategy, and replicable best practices for emerging issuers.
Read More →October 22, 2025
Federal vs. State Stablecoin Regulation: Choosing Your Registration Path
GENIUS Act offers federal registration, but state licensing remains an option. Compare costs ($1.25-3M), timelines, preemption issues, and strategic considerations to choose the right registration path for your stablecoin.
Read More →October 18, 2025
Stablecoin Reserve Requirements: Attestations, Custody, and Liquidity Management
GENIUS Act requires 100% reserve backing with monthly attestations. This guide covers permitted assets, qualified custodian requirements, attestation costs ($25K-$100K annually), and reserve management best practices for stablecoin issuers.
Read More →October 15, 2025
Qualified Crypto Custodians: Regulatory Requirements and Selection Guide
GENIUS Act and state regulations require 'qualified custodians' for digital asset reserves. This guide covers regulatory standards, SOC 2 requirements, custodian comparison (Coinbase, BitGo, Anchorage, Fireblocks), and selection criteria.
Read More →October 8, 2025
CFTC Commodities Regulation for Crypto: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Digital Assets
The CFTC regulates Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital asset commodities—especially derivatives and DeFi protocols. Understand CFTC jurisdiction, registration requirements, and enforcement priorities for 2025.
Read More →October 8, 2025
Crypto Bankruptcy: Recovering Assets from Failed Exchanges (FTX Lessons)
Recovering assets from failed crypto exchanges like FTX requires strategic navigation of bankruptcy proceedings. Learn proof of claim filing, recovery timelines (18-36 months), and creditor representation options from attorney who worked these cases.
Read More →October 8, 2025
How to Get a Crypto Exchange License: State-by-State Requirements
Launching a crypto exchange requires navigating 49 state money transmitter licenses plus federal registration. This guide breaks down requirements, costs ($1-3M), strategic state selection, and BitLicense compliance.
Read More →October 8, 2025
Crypto Tax Lawyer's Guide: 2025 Reporting Requirements & IRS Compliance
Navigate 2025 crypto tax compliance with confidence. Complete guide to Form 1099-DA, cost basis tracking, DeFi taxation, and IRS reporting requirements—with real cost estimates and actionable strategies.
Read More →October 8, 2025
SEC Crypto Enforcement Defense: What to Do When You Get a Wells Notice
Received an SEC Wells Notice? Time is critical. This guide covers immediate response steps, defense strategies, cost estimates ($100K-$500K+), and settlement vs. litigation frameworks from former SEC attorney.
Read More →October 8, 2025
Token Launch Legal Checklist: Avoiding SEC Enforcement in 2025
Launching a token in 2025 requires careful SEC compliance. This checklist covers Howey Test analysis, Regulation D/S/A exemptions, distribution mechanics, and pre-launch legal requirements—with costs ($50K-$250K) and timelines.
Read More →June 1, 2025
The CLARITY Act Explained: CFTC vs. SEC Jurisdiction Finally Defined
After years of regulatory confusion over whether tokens are securities or commodities, the CLARITY Act proposes the first comprehensive framework dividing SEC and CFTC authority. Here's how to determine which regulator governs your token.
Read More →March 1, 2025
Money Transmitter Licensing in 2025: State-by-State Strategy for Crypto Startups
Forget the conventional wisdom about licensing in all 49 states. Strategic state selection, partner bank alternatives, and exemption analysis can save crypto startups $500K-$1M+ in first-year compliance costs. Here's the framework.
Read More →February 15, 2025
DAO Liability After Lido: Why You Need a Legal Wrapper
The Lido DAO case confirmed unlimited personal liability for token holders and VCs operating without legal entity structures. Here's why 'decentralization' isn't a liability shield and which legal wrappers protect your personal assets.
Read More →February 1, 2025
FinCEN's CVC Kiosk Crackdown: What Crypto ATM Operators Need to Know
FinCEN's August 2024 notice targets crypto kiosks after 10,956 fraud complaints and $246.7M in losses. Enhanced due diligence, SAR filing, and Travel Rule compliance are now expected. Here's your compliance quick-start checklist.
Read More →January 20, 2025
Treasury Management for Crypto Companies: A Practical Legal and Operational Guide
FTX's collapse exposed why treasury management is a legal requirement, not just best practice. Here's your complete framework with California DFAL compliance, real custodian pricing, multi-sig architecture, and phased implementation costs ($50K-$6M annually by scale).
Read More →January 15, 2025
California AI Law SB 1047: Compliance Guide for Startups
California just created the nation's most comprehensive AI regulatory framework. Effective January 1, 2026, SB 1047 establishes transparency requirements, incident reporting, and safety testing obligations for frontier AI models. Here's your compliance roadmap.
Read More →January 15, 2025
The GENIUS Act is Law: Your 6-Month Stablecoin Compliance Roadmap
Federal stablecoin registration takes effect July 1, 2025. Here's your month-by-month action plan with realistic cost estimates, strategic decision frameworks, and concrete steps to achieve compliance before the deadline.
Read More →January 15, 2025
The SEC's Crypto Pivot: What the Dismissals and Task Force Mean for Your Startup
The SEC just dismissed enforcement actions against Coinbase and Kraken while launching a Crypto Task Force. This isn't just policy—it's a watershed moment. Here's your strategic playbook for navigating the shift from enforcement to regulatory clarity.
Read More →Stay Informed on Digital Asset Law
Get monthly insights, regulatory updates, and practical guidance delivered to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.