Uniswap Basis leads coalition urging Treasury Secretary Bessent to make clear authorized framework for DAOs
The Uniswap Basis spearheaded a coalition of 18 main cryptocurrency organizations in petitioning Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for federal steering on decentralized autonomous group (DAO) compliance.
In a Sept. 2 letter, Uniswap Basis cites persistent authorized uncertainty that has pushed innovation offshore.
The doc advocates for federal recognition of Wyoming’s Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Affiliation (DUNA) framework, signed into regulation in 2024, as a mannequin for offering DAOs with authorized readability whereas preserving their decentralized governance buildings.
The DUNA framework permits DAOs to have interaction in contractual relationships, handle treasury funds, and adjust to tax obligations whereas shielding token holders from private legal responsibility.
The letter acknowledged:
“DAOs within the US have traditionally confronted persistent authorized uncertainty. Many DAOs wouldn’t have readability on whether or not primary undertakings, similar to the flexibility to signal contracts, handle belongings, or meet tax obligations, will expose contributors to private legal responsibility.”
Bipartisan congressional assist
The initiative has garnered political backing, with Senator Cynthia Lummis endorsing the framework and championing efforts to “construct the authorized basis American innovators must succeed.”
The letter references the President’s Working Group Report on Digital Belongings, which mandates Treasury and IRS collaboration with blockchain nonprofits to facilitate US domiciliation.
Uniswap Governance, described as “one of many largest and most energetic DAOs on the planet,” has proposed adopting the DUNA construction as a check case for the broader ecosystem. The coalition argues this represents a milestone demonstrating that compliance and decentralization can coexist inside US authorized frameworks.
Eighteen organizations co-signed the letter, together with established entities similar to Polygon, Tally, and the Blockchain Affiliation, alongside newer gamers like ZKsync, Morpho, and the Solana Coverage Institute.
The varied coalition spans infrastructure suppliers, DeFi protocols, enterprise funds, and coverage advocacy teams.
Aggressive menace
The signatories emphasised the aggressive menace posed by different jurisdictions actively courting blockchain organizations.
The letter warns that continued regulatory ambiguity dangers pushing innovation away from US markets as world rivals set up clearer frameworks for decentralized entities.
The coalition requests three particular federal actions: recognition of good-faith DAO compliance efforts, engagement with communities piloting frameworks like DUNA, and provision of federal pathways, together with protected harbors, interpretive steering, or tailor-made rulemaking.
The letter concluded:
“With considerate collaboration, we are able to be sure that the U.S. stays a house for internet-native innovation rooted in transparency, compliance, and open participation.”
