# Crypto Founder & Co-Founder Disputes

Get Out Of Trouble Fast

A co-founder has left, tokens are disputed or you have lost access to the treasury. Start with the agreements, the messages and who controls what.

At a glance

## Is this the right service?

Founders facing a dispute over ownership, tokens, departures or project control.

What it can cover

- Rights and evidence review
- Control map
- Response options
- Correspondence and documents

[Get Expert Advice](https://ape.law/#contact)

[Check if this fits](https://ape.law/services/crypto-founder-co-founder-disputes#service-fit)

01 · Check the fit

## When this service fits

### You disagree about what was promised

Shares, token allocations or vesting terms are being interpreted differently.

### Access or control has changed

Wallets, repositories, domains or accounts are part of the dispute.

### The paperwork is incomplete

The record may be spread across agreements, messages, payments and contributions.

02 · What we can help with

## How Ape Law can help you respond

### Rights and evidence review

Compare signed terms, token records, messages and the timeline of what happened.

### Control map

Identify who controls the treasury, keys, IP, company accounts and project infrastructure.

### Response options

Assess negotiation, exit, settlement or formal escalation against the evidence and commercial goals.

### Correspondence and documents

Prepare the agreed legal communications or settlement documents once the response is chosen.

03 · How to get started

## What to keep and bring

Start with what you have. These details help frame the first discussion.

Send the basics

- A dated timeline and the outcome you are seeking
- Founder terms, cap table, token allocations and key messages
- A list of disputed assets, accounts and access rights

Then define the scope

### Focus the first conversation on the decision you need to make.

No settlement or recovery result is promised. Changing access, moving assets or contacting the other side requires advice on the specific situation.

[Get Expert Advice](https://ape.law/#contact)

04 · See related matters

## How Ape Law approached similar questions

These published matters show the decision process. Another project's facts, rules and outcome may differ.

![Video thumbnail for How We Built Leverage in a Founder Dispute](https://ape.law/assets/legacy-pages/c5b1c41c690d30a6a92f5db6b87670f1e540e35ef206a008a12ce3b13039785b.png)

FOUNDER DISPUTE

### [The founder had more leverage than he realised.](https://ape.law/case-studies/founder-dispute-evidence-leverage)

No single piece of perfect evidence

Watch or read the case study

05 · Common questions

## Common questions

Can you assess a dispute without a signed founder agreement?

The available messages, contributions, payment records and conduct can be reviewed. Their legal effect depends on the facts and applicable law.

Can this cover both token and equity rights?

Yes. The review can examine both sets of arrangements and where the allocations, vesting terms or promises overlap.

What if my main concern is access to a wallet or account?

Explain who controls it, what changed and which assets or operations are affected. Control and ownership need to be examined together.

## What has changed between the founders?

Give a short timeline and identify any immediate deadline or loss of access.

[Discuss Your Situation](https://ape.law/#contact)

Canonical page: https://ape.law/services/crypto-founder-co-founder-disputes