On the one hand, DAOs continue to gain traction, jurisdictions around the world are racing to become the go-to destination for decentralized governance. From the British Virgin Islands to Delaware, from Switzerland to the RAK Freezone in the UAE, each promises the ideal legal wrapper to legitimize and support DAO operations.
On the other hand, DAOs increasingly wish to appear as legitimate players and seek legal support. However, not every DAO needs a wrapper—and no legal entity is a magic fix. Authorities and lawyers can sell hype too. The real question is: does wrapping serve your DAO’s purpose and compliance needs? Behind the buzzwords lies a complex reality.

This session cuts through the marketing hype and dives deep into the real-world trade-offs involved in choosing a legal home for your DAO. What should you prioritize: regulatory clarity, community inclusivity, cost-efficiency, or operational flexibility? And what exactly are you wrapping—an actual DAO, or just a legal fiction?

I unpack the myths, challenge the assumptions, and offer practical guidance on how to select a wrapper that supports—not stifles—your mission. Because not all wrappers deliver on their promises, and none can magically confer “DAO-ness” in the eyes of the law. It’s time to get real about what’s being wrapped—and why it matters.