Perkins Coie

The original crypto law firm — deep regulatory and transactional expertise since Bitcoin's early days

Seattle, USAEst. 19121,200+ lawyers, 25+ offices

Quick Facts

Best For
US-based founders and funds needing crypto-native regulatory and transactional counsel with long-term ecosystem credibility
Pricing
BigLaw rates — startup-friendly engagement models available for early-stage projects

Overview

Perkins Coie's Blockchain & Digital Assets practice is one of the longest-established in the legal industry, with roots in the earliest days of Bitcoin legal infrastructure. The firm has built an unrivalled depth across the full crypto legal stack — from token offering regulatory analysis and exchange licensing to DAO governance frameworks and smart contract disputes. Their Crypto Regulation Hub is a trusted free resource used by founders, investors, and in-house counsel globally. Best known for pragmatic, founder-friendly advice that balances regulatory rigour with commercial reality.

Focus Areas

Token Offering ComplianceExchange LicensingCrypto Fund FormationDAO GovernanceSmart Contract Legal FrameworksAML/KYC ProgrammesStablecoin RegulationNFT Legal Structures

Who They Work With

Early-stage Token ProjectsCrypto ExchangesDeFi ProtocolsCrypto FundsNFT PlatformsEnterprise Blockchain Teams

Notable Work

Advised on some of the most complex token offering structures in the US; long-term counsel to major exchange operators on licensing strategy.

Key Contacts

  • Scott Nealey
  • David Rosenthal

Office Locations

San FranciscoNew YorkWashington DCDenver

Frequently Asked Questions about Perkins Coie

Is Perkins Coie a good fit for early-stage token projects?
Yes — Perkins Coie is one of the more founder-friendly BigLaw options for crypto, explicitly offering startup-friendly engagement models for early-stage projects. The firm has advised on some of the most complex token offering structures in the US and understands the capital constraints of early-stage teams. Founders should ask about fixed-fee or phased engagement structures when first approaching the firm.
What crypto legal services does Perkins Coie specialise in?
Perkins Coie's Blockchain & Digital Assets practice covers token offering compliance, exchange licensing, crypto fund formation, DAO governance frameworks, AML/KYC programme design, stablecoin regulation, and NFT legal structures. The firm is particularly noted for its pragmatic regulatory analysis that balances legal rigour with commercial reality — a rare combination in BigLaw.
What free resources does Perkins Coie offer the crypto community?
Perkins Coie's Crypto Regulation Hub is widely regarded as one of the best free resources for founders, in-house counsel, and investors seeking to understand US crypto legal requirements. It covers regulatory developments, DAO frameworks, and token compliance guidance, and has been used globally as a reference source for crypto legal strategy.
What is Perkins Coie's track record in crypto legal work?
Perkins Coie is one of the longest-established crypto law practices, with roots in the earliest days of Bitcoin legal infrastructure. The firm has advised on some of the most complex token offering structures in the US and has been long-term counsel to major exchange operators on licensing strategy — giving it a depth of institutional knowledge that newer specialist boutiques cannot match.
How do I engage Perkins Coie for crypto regulatory advice?
You can contact the Blockchain & Digital Assets practice directly via the firm's website. The firm is US-headquartered with offices in San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, and Denver — relevant for regulatory matters — as well as international offices for cross-border work. Key contacts include Scott Nealey and David Rosenthal.
How does Perkins Coie's pricing compare to other BigLaw crypto practices?
Perkins Coie charges BigLaw rates but explicitly offers startup-friendly engagement models for early-stage projects — a meaningful differentiator from firms that only structure full-scale engagements. Founders should ask about project-based or phased billing at the outset; the firm's ecosystem reputation suggests it is genuinely willing to work with resource-constrained teams on appropriately scoped mandates.

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