Perkins Coie - Pioneer International Law Firm for Blockchain & Digital Assets

Company Overview

Founded in 1912 in Seattle, Washington, Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm with over 1,200 attorneys operating across 21 offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia (including Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and London). As one of the largest law firms headquartered in the Pacific Northwest, Perkins Coie has evolved from its 1912 origins—when founding partners George Donworth (Federal Judge) and Elmer Todd (U.S. Attorney) first discussed forming their own firm while walking Seattle's streets—into a global legal powerhouse serving major technology companies including Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Twitter. With over a century of legal excellence and approximately 1,001-5,000 total employees, Perkins Coie combines established institutional credibility with cutting-edge expertise in blockchain, digital assets, and fintech, recognized by Chambers as Band 1 for Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies (2025 FinTech Guide) and Legal 500 for fintech and financial services regulatory practice.

Core Services

Blockchain & Digital Assets Legal Services

Perkins Coie has served as legal counsel to the first blockchain projects conceived and continues to advise a wide range of digital asset clients on regulatory compliance, product counseling, corporate finance, securities law, privacy, intellectual property, cybersecurity, know your customer, trust charters, money transmission licensing, and digital payments. Led by J. Dax Hansen—founder of the Firm's Fintech Industry Group and described by Chambers as "the original crypto lawyer in this space"—the practice pioneered blockchain and digital currency legal services and maintains preeminent standing recognized by Chambers FinTech Guide Band 1 ranking for Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies (2025).

ICO & Token Offering Legal Structuring

Comprehensive legal services for Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), Security Token Offerings (STOs), and blockchain-based token launches including securities law analysis, regulatory compliance strategy, whitepaper legal review, token sale structuring, and investor documentation. Perkins Coie achieved historic milestone obtaining SEC staff no-action relief for IMVU's VCOIN—the first SEC no-action letter involving a blockchain-based digital asset that can be transferred outside a closed platform and exchanged for fiat currency—demonstrating unparalleled expertise navigating complex SEC regulatory frameworks for innovative token offerings.

Cryptocurrency Exchange & Platform Licensing

Specialized legal support for cryptocurrency exchanges, digital currency platforms, and crypto custody services including regulatory licensing across federal and state jurisdictions, AML/CTF compliance programs, money transmission licensing across 50+ states, consumer protection compliance, platform terms of service, and ongoing regulatory obligations. Services address complex overlapping regulatory requirements from FinCEN, SEC, CFTC, state banking regulators, and other authorities.

DeFi & Web3 Protocol Legal Advisory

Cutting-edge legal services for decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, Web3 businesses, and decentralized applications addressing unique challenges of permissionless systems, DAO governance structures, smart contract legal frameworks, tokenomics compliance, liquidity protocols, yield farming mechanisms, and evolving regulatory treatment of decentralized financial services.

Digital Asset Investment & M&A

Sophisticated transactional support for digital asset investments, venture capital funding for blockchain companies, and mergers and acquisitions involving cryptocurrency and blockchain businesses. Notable representations include advising Andreessen Horowitz in $25 million Series B investment in Coinbase and representing Blockchain Coinvestors Acquisition Corp. I in $622 million Qenta merger, demonstrating capability handling major digital asset transactions.

Unique Selling Points

Original Crypto Lawyer - Pioneer Status Since First Projects

Perkins Coie served as legal counsel to the first blockchain projects conceived, establishing pioneer status impossible to replicate. J. Dax Hansen, founder of the Firm's Fintech Industry Group, is recognized by Chambers as "the original crypto lawyer in this space," providing institutional knowledge and battle-tested strategies spanning blockchain's entire legal evolution from earliest days through present regulatory maturation.

Chambers Band 1 Ranking - Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies (2025)

Recognized as Band 1 (top tier) law firm for Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies in Chambers 2025 FinTech Legal Guide, validating Perkins Coie's standing as preeminent advisor in digital asset law. Additional rankings include Band 2 for FinTech Legal and Band 2 for Payments & Lending, demonstrating comprehensive leadership across entire digital finance ecosystem.

First SEC No-Action Relief for Transferable Token (IMVU VCOIN)

Achieved historic regulatory milestone obtaining SEC staff no-action relief for IMVU's VCOIN—the first SEC no-action letter involving blockchain-based digital asset transferable outside closed platform and exchangeable for fiat currency. This breakthrough demonstrates unmatched capability navigating complex SEC frameworks and securing innovative regulatory outcomes for token projects.

Industry-Leading Team - "Preeminent Figures" in Blockchain Law

J. Dax Hansen recognized by Chambers as "pre-eminent figure in blockchain and cryptocurrency law" known for ability to "distill highly complex topics almost immediately." Valeria Bystrowicz-Liendo (Latin America blockchain specialist) lauded as "a pleasure to work with" who "has provided support above and beyond traditional professional requirements." Team highlighted by Business Insider as top crypto and blockchain-focused lawyers "inking deals, fighting lawsuits, and navigating fast-evolving regulations."

Major Client Portfolio - From Andreessen Horowitz to Coinbase

Represents premier digital asset ecosystem participants including Andreessen Horowitz in Coinbase Series B investment, major cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain infrastructure providers, and innovative token projects. Client portfolio demonstrates trust from sophisticated institutional investors and established crypto businesses requiring highest-caliber legal representation.

Global Platform - 21 Offices Across US, Europe, Asia

With 21 offices including Seattle, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC, London, Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei, Perkins Coie provides integrated global legal services for international blockchain and cryptocurrency operations. This international platform enables multi-jurisdictional regulatory strategies and coordinated advice across major crypto markets worldwide.

Full-Service Legal Capability - 1,200+ Attorneys

As major international law firm with over 1,200 attorneys across diverse practice areas (corporate, M&A, securities, IP, tax, litigation, regulatory compliance, privacy, cybersecurity), Perkins Coie delivers integrated legal support addressing full spectrum of legal needs as blockchain businesses scale from startup through public company. Unlike narrow crypto boutiques, clients access sophisticated expertise across all legal disciplines.

Century of Institutional Credibility + Cutting-Edge Innovation

Founded in 1912, Perkins Coie uniquely combines over 110 years of institutional credibility, established regulatory relationships, and legal tradition with pioneer status in blockchain and digital assets. This combination provides clients both innovation expertise and established platform facilitating productive regulatory dialogue and efficient outcomes with SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, and other authorities.

Notable Expertise Areas

Blockchain legal services, cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset custody, ICO/STO offerings, token economics, SEC compliance for digital assets, DeFi protocols, Web3 legal frameworks, DAO governance, smart contracts, money transmission licensing, AML/CTF compliance, digital asset M&A, crypto investment funds, NFT legal frameworks, state money transmitter licensing, fintech regulatory compliance

Why Choose Perkins Coie

Perkins Coie combines pioneer status as legal counsel to the first blockchain projects with Chambers Band 1 recognition for Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies (2025), making them the preeminent advisor for sophisticated digital asset businesses and token offerings requiring highest-caliber legal expertise. Led by J. Dax Hansen—"the original crypto lawyer"—and recognized for historic achievement obtaining first SEC no-action relief for transferable blockchain token (IMVU VCOIN), Perkins Coie delivers unmatched regulatory expertise grounded in over a decade of blockchain legal innovation. With global platform spanning 21 offices across US, Europe, and Asia, over 1,200 attorneys providing full-service legal capability, and client portfolio including Andreessen Horowitz, Coinbase, and leading crypto exchanges, Perkins Coie ensures blockchain businesses receive sophisticated, battle-tested guidance from the law firm that pioneered digital asset legal practice and continues to lead the field.