The community is forming a DAO
You need to decide which roles sit with an entity, council, team or token holders.
Operate With Confidence
DAO Legal Structure
Your DAO still needs someone to hold assets, sign contracts and pay contributors. Map those roles alongside token voting, treasury control and the entities involved.
At a glance
Is this the right service?
DAOs and protocol teams deciding how their legal and operating structure should work.
What it can cover
- Structure options
- Assets and contracts
- Governance and contributors
01 · Check the fit
When this service fits
The DAO controls valuable assets
Treasury, IP and contracts need an ownership and authority map.
Contributors are doing the work
Payments, IP, accountability and the authority to act need clear arrangements.
02 · What we can help with
What the work covers
Structure options
Assess possible entity and operating arrangements against the DAO's purpose and activities.
Assets and contracts
Map who owns treasury and IP, enters agreements and deals with service providers.
Governance and contributors
Connect voting, execution, compensation and contributor roles to the proposed legal structure.
03 · How to get started
What to bring
Start with what you have. These details help frame the first discussion.
Send the basics
- The DAO's purpose, current entities and members' roles
- Treasury, IP and service-provider arrangements
- Governance proposals, voting rules and contributor terms
Then define the scope
Focus the first conversation on the decision you need to make.
An entity label or governance token does not settle every responsibility question. The structure needs to be assessed against how the DAO actually operates.
Get Expert Advice04 · 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.
05 · Common questions
Common questions
How is this different from DAO governance?
Structure work examines the entities, assets and legal responsibilities. Governance work focuses on how decisions are proposed, approved and carried out.
Can you assess a foundation or company option?
The scope can compare relevant options against the DAO's activities, people and assets, with jurisdiction-specific advice identified where needed.
Does this include contributor agreements?
Contributor roles, compensation, IP and authority can be included in the document plan. The agreed scope defines which documents are prepared.
Who can act for your DAO?
Describe its purpose, assets and the decisions you need the structure to support.
Get Expert Advice