Market
Lido DAO Ruling Sparks Legal Concerns Across Crypto Community
A federal court in California has ruled that members of the Lido DAO can be held liable under state partnership laws.
Tile the case focuses on the decentralized governing body behind the popular liquid staking protocol (LSP). Nevertheless, this precedent marks a landmark decision with significant implications for decentralized governance.
Court Rules Lido DAO Members Liable Under Partnership Laws
Andrew Samuels brought the lawsuit after purchasing Lido’s native LDO tokens on the secondary market in April and May 2023 via the Gemini exchange. Samuels later filed a class-action suit in December, alleging that the tokens were sold as unregistered securities. He blamed the DAO for his financial losses due to their declining value.
In his complaint, Samuels argued that the DAO actively solicited token purchases on exchanges, violating securities laws. The court sided with him, ruling that the DAO’s structure and activities subjected it to general partnership liability.
“The statutory phrase ‘offers or sells’ has been construed broadly to include solicitation of securities purchases. Samuels has sufficiently alleged that Lido DAO solicited these purchases, making it liable,” the court noted.
The ruling, issued on Monday by Judge Vince Chhabria of the US Northern District Court of California, rejected Lido DAO’s claim that it operates as a non-legal entity immune to traditional legal frameworks. Instead, the court classified the DAO as a general partnership, holding its participants accountable for its operations and liabilities.
The judge identified specific participants, including prominent venture capital (VC) firms Paradigm Operations, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and Dragonfly Digital Management. Per the ruling, these VCs pass as general partners due to their active involvement in Lido DAO’s governance and operations. However, another investor, Robot Ventures, was dismissed from the lawsuit due to insufficient evidence of direct participation.
The court’s decision marks a pivotal moment in the legal treatment of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs). Of note is that DAOs are designed to operate without centralized control. However, the court found that Lido DAO’s structure — where token holders govern decisions and earn staking rewards — meets California’s definition of a general partnership.
“[This case] raises critical questions about the ability of individuals in the crypto ecosystem to shield themselves from liability through novel legal arrangements tied to decentralized financial instruments,” judge Chhabria wrote in his ruling.
This decision suggests that mere association with a DAO may not be enough to establish liability. Instead, active involvement in governance or operations is required.
The ruling has sparked concern across the crypto and blockchain community. Miles Jennings, General Counsel and Head of Decentralization at a16z crypto, described the decision as a severe setback for decentralized governance.
“Under the ruling, any DAO participation (even posting in a forum) could be sufficient to hold DAO members liable for the actions of other members under general partnership laws,” Jennings wrote in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The decision highlights the risks for participants in DAOs, particularly those involved in governance or decision-making processes.
By rejecting the argument that a DAO’s decentralized structure shields its participants from liability, the court has set a precedent that could affect other DAOs and their contributors. The ruling emphasized that a general partnership can exist even without the explicit intent to form one. It suffices, provided two or more individuals associate to co-own and operate a business for profit.
This case has far-reaching implications for the crypto industry, particularly for decentralized projects that rely on token-based governance models. Moving forward, DAOs may need to rethink their structures and establish legal entities to protect participants from similar liability risks.
“Every DAO will require a legal wrapper, a careful choice of jurisdiction, and compliance with laws of security (token) issuance unless the law changes,” Chief Apostle of RWA commented.
The decision signals a challenging road ahead for Lido DAO and its participants as they walk the legal and regulatory pathway. Meanwhile, other DAOs and decentralized projects may face increased scrutiny as courts and regulators examine their operations under traditional legal frameworks.
Lido DAO’s LDO token is down almost 2% on this news. As of this writing, it is trading at $1.18.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Trump’s $500 Billion Stargate Venture Sparks AI Crypto Boom
AI tokens surged on Wednesday after President Donald Trump unveiled a new joint venture to invest up to $500 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The partnership involves major players such as OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank and will form a new entity called Stargate.
Market Focuses on AI Coins as Trump’s Stargate Initiative Gains Traction
The Stargate Project will invest $500 billion over the next four years, building new AI infrastructure in the US. The venture will focus on developing crucial data centers and the electricity generation required to power the AI sector.
The announcement has already had a noticeable impact on the broader market, particularly in AI-related cryptocurrencies. Following the news, the market capitalization of AI tokens surged by 9%, reaching $45.83 billion at press time, according to CoinGecko.
In fact, the market cap of AI agent tokens alone rose by 13% to hit $14.9 billion.
AI agent tokens, such as Virtuals Protocol, AIXBT, and AI16Z, saw impressive gains. Virtuals Protocol rose by over 13% in the past 24 hours, while AI16Z experienced a remarkable 36% increase. AIXBT token rose by 27% over the same period.
The surge in AI tokens reflects a broader shift in market interest as investors move capital towards more “sentient” tokens.
“Capital is rotating back from static memes to sentient coins,” AI researcher S4mmy commented on Twitter.
The analyst added that Fartcoin and AIXBT are sustaining their “mindshare dominance,” but face declining market caps after a heated run. Commenting on Virtuals Protocol, he said it continues to solidify its position as a backbone of the Agentic infrastructure.
Moreover, analyst CyrilXBT said he believes “AI will create generational wealth in 2025.”
“People said Bitcoin was a joke. People said AI agents are a gimmick. Guess what else they’ll say? ‘Why didn’t I listen when generational wealth was staring me in the face?,” CyrilXBT commented.
The shift towards AI is particularly interesting, given the trend of investments a few days back. Capital was flowing into Donald Trump-related tokens, such as TRUMP and MELANIA, which have seen significant volatility.
However, BeInCrypto reported that smart money traders are now focusing on AI tokens after the hype around TRUMP faded. According to data from Nansen, a substantial amount of VIRTUAL, FARTCOIN, and AIXBT tokens are held by smart money.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Will an Upside Break Spark a Surge?
Ethereum price is struggling below the $3,500 resistance while Bitcoin gains. ETH is consolidating above $3,150 and might aim for an upside break.
- Ethereum failed to gain pace for a close above $3,400 and $3,450.
- The price is trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
- There is a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
- The pair could start another increase if it clears the $3,400 resistance level.
Ethereum Price Aims Key Upside Break
Ethereum price started a decent upward move from the $3,200 level but upsides were limited compared to Bitcoin. ETH cleared the $3,250 resistance to move into a short-term bullish zone.
The bulls were able to push the price above the $3,300 resistance zone. Besides, there was a clear move above the 50% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low. However, the bears are still active below $3,400.
Ethereum price is now trading above $3,300 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. On the upside, the price seems to be facing hurdles near the $3,350 level or the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the downward move from the $3,445 swing high to the $3,203 low.
There is also a key contracting triangle forming with resistance at $3,355 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD. The first major resistance is near the $3,400 level. The main resistance is now forming near $3,445.
A clear move above the $3,445 resistance might send the price toward the $3,550 resistance. An upside break above the $3,550 resistance might call for more gains in the coming sessions. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,650 resistance zone or even $3,720 in the near term.
Another Decline In ETH?
If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,400 resistance, it could start another decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,300 level. The first major support sits near the $3,250.
A clear move below the $3,250 support might push the price toward the $3,200 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $3,120 support level in the near term. The next key support sits at $3,050.
Technical Indicators
Hourly MACD – The MACD for ETH/USD is losing momentum in the bullish zone.
Hourly RSI – The RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone.
Major Support Level – $3,200
Major Resistance Level – $3,400
Market
What Fueled Its New High
Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has once again captured the spotlight after rallying to a new all-time high of $109,699.
With the $110,000 milestone in sight, Bitcoin’s recent price action is being closely monitored by investors. A combination of sustained market conditions and renewed institutional interest has positioned the crypto king for potentially historic gains.
Bitcoin Investors Are Bullish
Market sentiment has shown a significant shift in recent weeks, particularly through the lens of Coin Days Destroyed (CDD). Late 2024 saw a period of elevated CDD, signaling heavy activity among Bitcoin long-term holders (LTHs) cashing out during the rally.
However, January has brought a notable cooldown in CDD, indicating reduced selling pressure from these key investors. This trend suggests that most profit-taking among LTHs is complete, paving the way for a more stable price trajectory.
Low CDD is often interpreted as a positive sign for Bitcoin’s recovery. It reflects conviction among long-term investors, who are holding onto their coins rather than selling into the market. Such investor behavior typically builds confidence and supports upward price momentum, providing a favorable backdrop for Bitcoin’s push to $110,000 and beyond.
Bitcoin’s macro momentum has also gained strength, supported by the accumulation activity of smaller investors, often referred to as “Shrimps” and “Crabs.” These holders, who possess less than 10 BTC, collectively added over 25,600 BTC worth approximately $2.71 billion. This surge in accumulation is proof of growing confidence among retail investors.
The Shrimp-to-Crab balance spike indicates a broad base of support for Bitcoin’s price. This demographic’s increasing participation reflects long-term bullish sentiment. Their buying activity often stabilizes the market, acting as a cushion during corrections and amplifying price rallies during bullish phases.
BTC Price Prediction: Onto New High
Bitcoin’s recent all-time high of $109,699 was fueled by strong market fundamentals and strong investor sentiment. If momentum continues, the cryptocurrency could breach the $110,000 mark, cementing its position as a high-performing asset in 2025. This milestone would likely attract additional buying interest, reinforcing Bitcoin’s bullish outlook.
To secure its ascent, Bitcoin must establish $105,000 as a strong support level. Currently trading around $105,562, the crypto king appears well-positioned to achieve this. A successful defense of this support zone could propel Bitcoin to new highs, unlocking further upside potential.
However, failure to maintain $105,000 as support could lead to a retracement toward $100,000. Such a decline would negate Bitcoin’s recent gains and dampen short-term bullish sentiment, raising the risk of prolonged consolidation before a renewed rally.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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