Uniswap Foundation Leads Coalition Urging Treasury Secretary Bessent to Clarify DAO Legal Framework—DeFi’s Regulatory Breakthrough Moment?

DeFi's biggest players are done waiting for regulatory clarity—they're demanding it.

The Uniswap Foundation just mobilized a powerhouse coalition of crypto leaders to confront Treasury Secretary Bessent with one unified message: give DAOs a legal framework or watch innovation flee overseas. This isn't just another policy request—it's a strategic move to force the issue into the mainstream political conversation.

Why This Matters Now

Without clear legal definitions, DAOs operate in a gray zone that stifles growth and scares off institutional capital. The coalition argues that ambiguity hurts everyone—developers, users, and even regulators trying to keep pace with tech that evolves faster than bureaucracy.

Secretary Bessent hasn't responded publicly yet—but pressure's building. With midterms approaching and crypto voters becoming a measurable bloc, this might be the push that finally gets Washington to move beyond 'wait and see.'

Of course, some Wall Street veterans are already scoffing—because nothing says 'serious financial innovation' like begging regulators for permission to exist. But in today's game, even decentralization needs a rulebook.

Bipartisan congressional support

The initiative has garnered political backing, with Senator Cynthia Lummis endorsing the framework and championing efforts to “build the legal foundation American innovators need to succeed.”

The letter references the President’s Working Group Report on Digital Assets, which mandates Treasury and IRS collaboration with blockchain nonprofits to facilitate US domiciliation.

Uniswap Governance, described as “one of the largest and most active DAOs in the world,” has proposed adopting the DUNA structure as a test case for the broader ecosystem. The coalition argues this represents a milestone demonstrating that compliance and decentralization can coexist within US legal frameworks.

Eighteen organizations co-signed the letter, including established entities such as Polygon, Tally, and the Blockchain Association, alongside newer players like ZKsync, Morpho, and the solana Policy Institute.

The diverse coalition spans infrastructure providers, DeFi protocols, venture funds, and policy advocacy groups.

Competitive threat

The signatories emphasized the competitive threat posed by other jurisdictions actively courting blockchain organizations.

The letter warns that continued regulatory ambiguity risks pushing innovation away from US markets as global competitors establish clearer frameworks for decentralized entities.

The coalition requests three specific federal actions: recognition of good-faith DAO compliance efforts, engagement with communities piloting frameworks like DUNA, and provision of federal pathways, including SAFE harbors, interpretive guidance, or tailored rulemaking.

The letter concluded:

“With thoughtful collaboration, we can ensure that the U.S. remains a home for internet-native innovation rooted in transparency, compliance, and open participation.”