Legal Clarity, For Founders

If you’re building a crypto startup, DAO, DeFi protocol or launching a stablecoin:

You need clear legal guidance


You need structure that scales


You need someone who gets it

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WHY WORK WITH ME?

  • I get the tech

  • I understand how to manage complex legal and regulatory risks

  • I’ve defended clients in crypto-related fraud cases—so I know how to help founders mitigate against worst-case scenarios.

WHY IT MATTERS NOW

New rules mean new risks—but also new opportunities

Pro-crypto policy shifts in the U.S. have opened the door for innovation.
But regulators haven’t backed off—they’re just playing by a different set of rules. The future of finance is stablecoins. Are you ready?
I’m here to help builders navigate that new playbook—and build with confidence and clarity

For Founders

That Move Fast

With 25+ years defending clients—including financial and crypto-related crimes. I’ve seen what happens when founders don’t get legal strategy right from the start

Legal Services Built for Builders

  • Regulatory Compliance

    Securities Law:

    • Launching regulatory compliant Stablecoins

    • Determine if your token or digital asset is security under new SEC regulations.

    • AML & KYC: Implement anti-money-laundering and KYC processes that satisfy regulators without adding friction to user onboarding.

    • CFTC Guidance: Navigate commodity and derivatives rules (CFTC regulations) to minimize legal risk around on-chain trading and complex smart contracts.

  • Startup Formation:

    • Choose the right legal structure from day one — LLC, corporation, or DAO — to align with your project’s goals and growth.

    • DAO Governance: Establish a governance framework for your DAO that is legally sound and scales with your community.

    • Cross-Border Strategy: Expand globally with a legal structure that spans jurisdictions to safeguard your assets and operations across borders.

  • SEC & CFTC Enforcement:

    • Tackle regulatory actions head-on — from responding to Wells notices and subpoenas to preparing for court if needed.

    • DOJ Criminal Defense: Fight allegations of fraud, conspiracy, or other crypto-related offenses with a defense strategy tailored to crypto’s unique challenges.

    • Emergency Response: React swiftly to crises like frozen wallets or an exchange takedown with a legal action plan to contain the damage and protect your project.

    • Internal Investigations: Conduct confidential internal audits to find and fix issues in-house, cleaning up problems before regulators come knocking.

Meet Carlo D'Angelo

  • Carlo D'Angelo is a lawyer and former law professor focused on advising clients in the cryptocurrency and digital asset sector.
    Carlo hosts LexLine a podcast focused on crypto law, and writes  The DeFi Defender, a weekly newsletter covering the latest legal developments in blockchain and digital assets.

  • NFT.NYC (2022) – Delivered a featured talk on “The Growing Threat That Crypto Criminal Enterprises Pose to NFTs,” highlighting legal risks in NFT markets.
    New York State Bar Association Global Law Symposiums (2023) – Contributed legal insights as a CLE speaker, addressing the regulatory implications of emerging digital assets and decentralized finance.
    IRS/Treasury Public Comment Hearing (2023) – Testified on proposed digital asset broker reporting rules, offering legal analysis on compliance challenges and constitutional concerns. This testimony contributed to the broader industry pushback that ultimately led to the repeal of the expanded IRS crypto broker rule in April 2025.

  • Carlo contributes thought leadership in blockchain regulation and crypto crime.

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