Token2049 in Dubai is quickly cementing itself as one of the most important events on the crypto calendar. The industry’s key players are showing up, the networking is high-quality, and deals are getting done. However, beneath the surface-level buzz, a few clear legal and structural trends stand out - trends that are shaping the future of crypto and how projects operate.
TL;DR
- DAO legal wrappers are becoming the norm – Liability concerns are pushing teams to adopt formal structures like foundations or LLCs as a baseline.
- MiCA is turning projects away from the EU – The regulation’s complexity and cost are deterring early-stage teams, driving focus to more agile jurisdictions.
- AI-driven trading is gaining momentum – Users are increasingly delegating trading to algorithms, copy-trading, and autonomous agents.
- Security and self-regulation are maturing fast – Teams are proactively prioritizing audits, access controls, and governance to protect the ecosystem.
DAO Legal Wrappers Are Becoming Default
One of the most consistent themes was the shift in mindset around legal structuring for decentralized networks and communities. The debate has moved on from whether a legal entity is necessary and the focus now is on which jurisdictions and structures are most suitable.
This shift is primarily driven by liability (albeit a legal wrapper also tends to reduce practical issues). Without a formal legal entity, contributors and developers face significant personal legal exposure. If a protocol/DAO enters into agreements, holds assets, or makes decisions with real-world implications, someone is typically legally responsible. Without a legal structure, that responsibility often defaults to individuals and the ethos of decentralization tends not to shield contributors from legal risk when regulators, courts, or counterparties come calling - unfortunately, the industry has had to learn this the hard way.
Accordingly, legal wrappers such as foundations, limited liability companies, or specialized decentralized entities, are no longer considered an optional safeguard. They are now a basic requirement for resilience, operational continuity, and accountability.
The EU’s MiCA Regulation is Losing the Room
The Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation was another frequent topic of discussion. While the regulation is acknowledged as a well-intentioned step toward legal clarity, it is currently viewed by many as burdensome and, in some cases, unworkable.
Early-stage projects are in particular deterred by the complexity and costs surrounding the new rules. Some teams are choosing to avoid EU markets entirely rather than undergo a costly compliance process with unclear benefits.
In practice, this is leading to a shift in focus toward more agile jurisdictions - especially those jurisdictions offering clearer, faster paths to legality and operational certainty. This is of course a problem for the EU’s competitiveness in crypto, but it is also a clear signal to regulators that if your framework cannot be implemented without a full legal department and six-figure legal spend, projects will look elsewhere.
AI + Trading is the Next Hype
One of the more interesting topics was the rise of AI-native trading tools, especially autonomous agents and copy-trading setups.
A clear trend seems to be that users are less interested in managing trades themselves. Instead, they prefer to follow the behavior of high-performing accounts, trust algorithmic models, or delegate entirely to automated systems. There is a growing reliance on what some described as the “wisdom of the crowd”, i.e., where users simply imitate strategies they perceive as successful by others, rather than developing their own.
This trend reflects a broader shift in how people interact with financial technology. Ease of use, automation, and trust in systems that appear to work are becoming more important than personal control or deep strategy development. As AI becomes more accessible within trading platforms, this kind of delegation is only going to increase.
The legal and regulatory implications regarding AI trading remain unclear for now. However, what is already obvious is that the behavior of users is changing quickly. AI is no longer a concept being explored but rather it is already influencing how many people engage with markets every day.
Security and Self-Regulation
Perhaps the most encouraging theme is the industry’s increasing seriousness around security and self-regulation. There is a clear shift toward more rigorous standards. Smart contract audits, layered access controls, governance protections, and integration with compliance tooling are all becoming standard practices and now tend to constitute a fundamental basis of most serious projects.
This shift is not just about preventing technical failures, but rather it is about actively protecting the ecosystem from abuse and unwanted actors. More and more teams are prioritizing security and responsible practices because they understand that preventing bad actors is critical to long-term success and by a shared understanding that the industry’s credibility depends on it.
The conclusion is that we are witnessing a sign of maturity. The crypto industry can still value decentralization, privacy, and permissionless access, while also agreeing that crime, abuse, and negligence have no place here. If anything, the fact that this shift is happening organically is a net positive for the space.
Final Take
Token2049 in Dubai made a few things clearer. The industry is strong, growing, and increasingly self-regulating. There is a sense of momentum and professionalism in the air - not just in technology, but also in how teams are choosing to operate.
In other words, the industry is not trying to mimic traditional finance, but rather build something stronger on our own terms. We remain mobile, adaptable, and committed to shaping the future of finance for the better, while also taking responsibility for doing it right and recognizing the circumstances around us.
Disclaimer
The content of this document (this “Document”) is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, investment, or other professional advice. The views and opinions expressed in this Document are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the operator of this website or its affiliates (collectively, the “Ops subDAO”). All information is provided “as is,” without any representations or warranties of accuracy, completeness, or reliability, and may be subject to change. References to specific strategies, techniques, products, services, entities, or third-party projects are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the Ops subDAO or any of its agents or representatives. Use of any referenced strategies, products, or services may involve material risks, including but not limited to financial loss, volatility, or operational failures. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence before making any decisions or taking any action.
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