Launch your             dAPP protocol

Launching a protocol for a DeFi, GameFi or SocialFi project? We’ll help you figure out the legal requirements so your project stays compliant.

Interchain Builders program
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Tangle
Beyond
Hydra Fund logo
Interchain Builders program
Boosty logo
Tangle
Beyond
Hydra Fund logo
A globe with elements: protocol developer, users, dApp interface

Build legally robust protocols

Protocols for Web3 and crypto projects need to be built with global legal, finance, and compliance needs in mind and need to be aligned with the blockchain network’s rules at the same time. We de-mystify the legal works and help builders and founders launch protocols that are compliant and risk-averse.

We've found Legal Nodes to be most useful for founders who face the complex task of creating legal frameworks for their international projects.
Viktor Ihnatiuk
Founder, Boosty

How to legally launch your protocol

01

Choose the most suitable country and entity for your protocol

Are there are countries I should avoid because the regulatory environment is not friendly towards my protocol?
Which country offers the best options for taking crypto payments and setting up payment gateways?
Should I think about registering a separate legal wrapper for a DAO, which governs protocol?
What banking options and tax implications do my preferred jurisdictions offer?
Which jurisdictions have the most friendly and suitable regulations for my type of dApp?
Could my decentralized protocol be subject to regulation?
How can I protect my play-to-earn (GameFi) protocol from regulatory risks?
What regulations might apply to my move-to-earn / NFT platforms (SocialFi) protocol?
Is my DeFi protocol subject to regulations if I plan to launch crypto lending / staking / yielding applications?
What other compliance requirements might affect my protocol launch?
Do GDPR (EU) and CCPA/HIPPA (US) privacy laws apply to the users of my protocol?
Will MiCA apply to my protocol once it becomes effective?
Do I need Terms of Use, Privacy policies, or KYC/AML policies and measures for my dApp to remain compliant?
02

Take proactive steps with compliance measures

03

Anticipate the needs of your protocol stakeholders

What due diligence should I undertake before accepting funds for development from investors in different jurisdictions?
How can I balance the needs for my protocol to be aligned with the network’s rules and with off-chain legal requirements?
Will I be able to work with regulated, centralized partners (MMs, exchanges)? How much will it cost to become compliant?

How Legal Nodes helps

Explore

Start by submitting a request to Legal Nodes. We’ll help you pin down your short and long term legal needs and answer all your queries.

Strategize

Figure out your global strategy for protocol launch, and get time and cost estimates for company registration, licensing and document works.

Achieve

Build your protocol with confidence and get ready to launch a dApp with help of locally-based, blockchain-knowledgeable experts, all accessible in one place.

We are grateful to be partnering with Legal Nodes on all legal matters for Web3 projects going through the Interchain Builders Program as they always have the latest legal frameworks.
Stef Sprinz
Interchain Builders Program’s Lead

Navigate the regulation minefield and build your protocol with a future-proof legal structure.

GET STARTED

We help with these protocol launch legal tasks

To help solve each legal, finance, and compliance task we work with locally-based specialists in 10+ crypto-friendly countries.

Here are some of the legal tasks we help to solve in preparation for a protocol launch.

View pricing
Dev Lab company registration

Register a legal entity to start hiring team members, kickstart product development and raise initial investments

🇺🇸 US
🇬🇧 UK
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇲🇹 Malta
🇦🇪 UAE
🇱🇹 Lithuania
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Protocol distribution company registration

Register a separate company to operate compliantly in the market where you will acquire users and launch advertising campaigns

🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇻🇬 BVI
🇵🇦 Panama
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands
🇦🇪 UAE
IP registration (trademarks, patents)

Register trademarks / patents to protect the off-chain intellectual property of your protocol

🇺🇸 US
🇬🇧 UK
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇲🇹 Malta
🇦🇪 UAE
🇱🇹 Lithuania
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇨🇾 Cyprus
VASP authorization / license

Obtain Virtual Asset Service Provider or other crypto-related regulatory approval, integrate KYC & AML measures and appoint an AML officer to make your protocol compliant

🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇻🇬 BVI
🇵🇦 Panama
🇰🇾 Cayman Islands
🇦🇪 UAE
B2B and B2C privacy policies

Prepare Privacy & Cookie Policies to publish on your website/app, and docs and policies to be ready to prove to B2B clients that your protocol is privacy compliant

🇺🇸 US
🇬🇧 UK
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇲🇹 Malta
🇦🇪 UAE
🇱🇹 Lithuania
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Terms of use & AML/KYC policies

Prepare documentation which regulates your protocol's services and the process of client verification & onboarding and publish it on your website

🇺🇸 US
🇬🇧 UK
🇸🇬 Singapore
🇪🇪 Estonia
🇲🇹 Malta
🇦🇪 UAE
🇱🇹 Lithuania
🇭🇰 Hong Kong
🇨🇾 Cyprus

Frequently asked questions

Why do dApps need Legal Wrappers?

Web3 and crypto founders need to create legal structures for their dApps to interact with the real world. This includes creating user-friendly interfaces, connecting payment gateways, fundraising with tokens, and listing tokens on crypto exchanges. Legal bridges are essential for building connections between decentralized apps and centralized market players.

How many companies do I need to register for my protocol?

Currently, there is no single entity or jurisdiction that will satisfy all business and regulatory requirements to build and distribute a decentralized product. This means that different entities might be needed for different types of activities. To build a legal wrapper for dApps and their protocols, founders require up to three different types of companies: a Dev Lab Company, a Token & Product Distribution Company, and a DAO Company. The Dev Lab Company hires software engineers to develop smart contracts, create dApp interfaces, and provide technical support. It also performs operational tasks like office rental, software subscriptions, and IP rights management. To offer tokens to Web3 funds and community, founders need a Token & Product Distribution company for listing on exchanges and launchpads. The DAO Company is only needed when founders plan to launch a DAO around their protocol.  Creating a DAO Company addresses legal needs by limiting liability for DAO members and ensuring compliance with Treasury management procedures.

Which country is best for my blockchain protocol?

To figure out which country is best for your blockchain protocol, first you’ll need to identify which countries are considered “most crypto-friendly” to you. The list might include Switzerland, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Gibraltar, Estonia, Cayman Islands, and Hong Kong, for example, due to their favourable regulatory conditions for crypto projects and clear rules. Next you’ll need to assess your blockchain business needs, and which countries satisfy your requirements. For example, do you need to accept payments in crypto? Do you plan to issue tokens? Do you plan to make your project decentralized? Do you want to hold custody of funds? Do you want to register in a country with a specific VASP regime? These are just some of the questions you need to explore to figure out which country is best for your blockchain business. If you’d like help to understand all your options, speak to us.

How much will it cost me to do all the legal works to launch my protocol?

Pricing for Web3 and crypto legal works can really vary, and this is because of a few key factors. First, simply registering a company varies from country to country. Additionally, some countries require licenses for protocols or tokens and others might treat your project as participating in a regulated activity. The list of variables goes on, and ultimately, pinning down costs for a cross-border project can be difficult. If you’d like to get a better idea of pricing for your specific protocol launch, speak to us.

Can I use Legal Nodes to do the legal works for my protocol launch and also DAO or token launches too?

Yes! We help crypto founders and builders with all kinds of legal works. Crypto projects are growing in number and we support them by doing the legal works for fundraising and token launches, creating DAO legal wrappers, and maintaining DevLabs, HoldingCos and Token SPVs. We help blockchain businesses to get the full picture of all potential legal routes, as well as compliance risks and tax implications. You can view some of our successful client stories here or speak to us to learn more.

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Get started with Legal Nodes

Figure out the legal aspect to your DeFi, GameFi, or SocialFi project and launch your dApp protocol with confidence.

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