Decentralized autonomous organizations: adapting legal structures and proposing a new model of DAOLLP

Abstract

This article examines the integration of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) into the existing legal framework of the United Kingdom, proposing a novel legal entity model termed the Decentralized Autonomous Organization Limited Liability Partnership (DAOLLP). It explores the distinctive characteristics of DAOs, including their decentralized governance, reliance on smart contracts operating on blockchain and the challenges they face under current UK law and underscores the necessity for legal adaptations that accommodate these innovative structures. The suggested model seeks to provide legal personhood, limited liability protection and a framework for compliance with existing laws and regulations while maintaining the core principles of decentralization and transparency. By comparative analysis of legislative approaches towards DAOs in jurisdictions such as Wyoming, Vermont and Malta, this article promotes a proactive regulatory framework for DAOs that fosters innovation and positions the UK as a leader in blockchain governance.