Nov 1, 2023
104 minutes

Ava Labs x CBER Ep 1: Are Cryptoassets Securities?

About this episode

Lewis Cohen (DLx Law) discusses whether cryptoassets are securities from the perspective of US law. Lewis Cohen (DLx Law) explains the relevant US securities laws and then highlights how cryptoassets can differ from traditional securities. A key point is that many cryptoassets do not confer rights in the manner of traditional securities, instead conferring abilities. Cryptoassets thus might require a novel regulatory framework.

Paper: The Ineluctable Modality of Securities Law

Guests

Lewis Cohen

Lewis Cohen

Attorney at DLx Law.

Andreas Park

Andreas Park

Professor of Finance, University of Toronto.

Fahad Saleh

Fahad Saleh

Associate Professor of Finance and the Nunnenkamp-Cinelli Faculty Fellow at Wake Forest University.

About our guest

Lewis Cohen is the Co-founder of DLx Law, a law firm established in 2018 to serve the needs of a new, technology-driven economy. Lewis and the DLx Law team provide in-depth legal counsel to startups, growth companies, venture capital and other investment firms, and major enterprises on a broad range of matters involving the use of blockchain, fungible and non-fungible crypto assets, and other disruptive technologies. Passionate about the ability of innovative technologies to change the way businesses and individuals work together, Lewis has become a major advocate for the potential of emerging technologies to benefit and transform businesses around the globe. Lewis brings more than 25 years of experience advising major participants in capital markets and other corporate finance transactions as a partner in two major global law firms. Lewis is a frequent public speaker and writer on the topic of blockchain and distributed ledger technology. Lewis was the lead author on a major paper on the application of federal securities laws in the U.S. to crypto assets. Lewis also served for four years on the Board and Executive Committee of the Structured Finance Industry Group (SFIG). Lewis is recognized by Chambers Global as one of five lawyers in “Band 1” for Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies – USA.

AVALABS x CBER

Owl Explains by Ava Labs and the Crypto and Blockchain Economic Research (CBER) Forum are proud to announce the Crafting the Crypto Economy podcast series. Episodes feature deep dives into notable research subjects such as lending platform economics, DEX design, DAO governance, and much more. By highlighting major research efforts, the series aims to unveil useful learning, explain complex topics, and educate a wide range of listeners, from beginners to professionals. Most of all, the podcast will equip lawmakers and regulators with the additional tools and knowledge they need to effectively and sensibly shape workable blockchain policies that maximally benefit all parties.

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