The Uniswap Foundation has taken a bold step in collaboration with 18 major cryptocurrency organizations to petition Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for federal guidance on decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) compliance. In a letter dated September 2, the Uniswap Foundation highlighted the ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding DAOs that have led to a shift in innovation to offshore locations.
The letter specifically advocates for the federal recognition of Wyoming’s Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (DUNA) framework, which was established in 2024. This framework is seen as a model that can provide DAOs with the necessary legal clarity while still maintaining their decentralized governance structures. The DUNA framework allows DAOs to enter into contracts, manage funds, and meet tax obligations without exposing token holders to personal liability.
The initiative has gained bipartisan support, with Senator Cynthia Lummis endorsing the DUNA framework and advocating for the creation of a solid legal foundation for American innovators. The President’s Working Group Report on Digital Assets has also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Treasury, IRS, and blockchain nonprofits to encourage the establishment of DAOs in the US.
Uniswap Governance, known as one of the largest and most active DAOs globally, has proposed adopting the DUNA framework as a test case for the broader ecosystem. This move is seen as a significant milestone in demonstrating that compliance and decentralization can coexist within the US legal framework.
A diverse coalition of 18 organizations, including established entities like Polygon, Tally, and the Blockchain Association, as well as newer players such as ZKsync, Morpho, and the Solana Policy Institute, have co-signed the letter. This coalition represents a wide range of stakeholders in the cryptocurrency space, including infrastructure providers, DeFi protocols, venture funds, and policy advocacy groups.
The signatories of the letter have also highlighted the competitive threat posed by other jurisdictions that are actively attracting blockchain organizations with clearer regulatory frameworks. They warn that continued regulatory ambiguity in the US could drive innovation away from domestic markets, leading to a loss of competitiveness on a global scale.
In response to these concerns, the coalition has requested three specific federal actions: recognition of good-faith compliance efforts by DAOs, engagement with communities testing frameworks like DUNA, and the provision of federal pathways such as safe harbors, interpretive guidance, or tailored rulemaking.
Ultimately, the goal of the coalition is to ensure that the US remains a hub for internet-native innovation that is grounded in transparency, compliance, and open participation. With collaborative efforts, they believe that the US can maintain its position as a leader in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space.