A federal court has issued a groundbreaking ruling that could reshape the legal landscape for decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). The court classified Lido DAO, the governing body behind the liquid staking protocol and its LDO token, as a general partnership under state laws. This decision establishes a precedent for how profit-driven DAOs might be treated legally.
Lido DAO Classified as a General Partnership
The Northern District of California court rejected claims that Lido DAO is not a legal entity, instead ruling that the DAO operates as a general partnership. According to court documents, Lido DAO has identifiable participants responsible for managing its activities, which means it cannot evade accountability through its decentralized structure. This sets a significant precedent for assessing the responsibilities of DAOs involved in profit-making.
Implications for DAO Governance
Judge Vince Chhabria’s ruling addressed critical questions about the ability of crypto entities to escape liability through innovative legal frameworks. Active participants in Lido’s governance and operations, including Paradigm Operations, Andreessen Horowitz, and Dragonfly Digital Management, were deemed general partners. However, another Lido investor, Robot Ventures, was dismissed from the case due to insufficient evidence of active involvement.
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Miles Jennings, General Counsel for a16z crypto and Head of Decentralization, described the decision as a major setback for decentralized governance. Jennings noted on X (formerly Twitter) that under this ruling, even minimal DAO participation—such as posting on forums—could expose members to liability for the actions of other DAO participants.
The Case’s Broader Implications
The lawsuit was filed by Andrew Samuels, who purchased LDO tokens on the secondary market through Gemini in April and May 2023. Samuels claimed that LDO tokens were unregistered securities, holding Lido DAO accountable for the resulting losses. His class-action lawsuit highlights the evolving scrutiny faced by crypto assets and governance structures.
This ruling adds to the growing list of legal challenges faced by DAOs and their members. The implications could extend to other DAOs, potentially reshaping how they operate and how their members interact with governance processes.
Conclusion
This landmark decision could have far-reaching consequences for the crypto industry, particularly for DAOs like Lido. The Bit Journal anticipates increased legal scrutiny of decentralized organizations, with potential ripple effects on the broader DeFi ecosystem. As regulators and courts refine their approach to DAOs, participants must carefully consider their roles and responsibilities.
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