Behind every major blockchain protocol launch, DAO securing millions in TVL, or crypto exchange expanding into a top jurisdiction, there's a lawyer who made it happen. This lawyer understood the founders' vision and translated it into regulatory language. In the crypto space, lawyers don’t just interpret the rules - they often have to write the frameworks or shape the laws from scratch.
Crypto lawyers are not paper-pushers. They are the strategists who structured the Ethereum Foundation, authored landmark stablecoin legislation, led billion-dollar exchanges through global compliance crackdowns, and lobbied governments for smart, permissive regulation.
From Dubai to Zurich, Singapore to the Cayman Islands - these seven legal masterminds are the architects of the future of finance. If you're a founder in Web3, these are the names you need to know.
United Arab Emirates – Irina Heaver
Law Firm: NeosLegal
http://www.neoslegal.co
Irina Heaver is widely recognized as the leading crypto lawyer in the Middle East. Based in the UAE, she is the founder of NeosLegal, the region’s first crypto-native law firm. Since 2016, her team has structured over 300 projects, becoming the go-to legal partner for VASP licensing, RWA tokenization, token launches and DAO structuring.
She writes for Forbes International and Cointelegraph, authored the UAE chapter of the Global Blockchain Guide for Chambers & Partners, as well as wrote “The Founder’s Guide to UAE Crypto Laws”. ( https://neoslegal.co/founders-guide-to-uae-crypto-laws-2025-edition/ ), a free legal guide for Founders.
Beyond client work, Irina plays a public and influential role in shaping regulatory policy, actively lobbying for smart and permissive legislation, and advising government entities on regulatory frameworks. Irina is often the first call founders make when looking the enter the UAE market.
United Kingdom – Eleanor Hughes
Role: Chief Legal Officer, Binance
Eleanor Hughes leads legal strategy for the largest crypto exchange in the world - Binance. A UK-qualified lawyer, she rose through the ranks to become Chief Legal Officer during one of the most turbulent periods in the company’s history. Eleanor has helped Binance navigate intense global scrutiny, responding to regulators in the US, UK, EU, and Asia while keeping the company’s operations running across dozens of markets.
Her legal leadership represents a shift toward more institutional-grade compliance in crypto, as Binance aims to evolve from a fast-moving startup to a regulated global powerhouse. Eleanor’s work goes far beyond firefighting; she’s been instrumental in building legal infrastructure across licensing, AML/KYC, and consumer protection. In an era where global exchanges face increasing regulatory heat, she is one of the most strategically placed legal minds in the industry.
United States – Marco Santori
Role: Chief Legal Officer, Kraken (formerly)
Marco Santori is a legendary figure in U.S. crypto legal circles, often referred to as the “Dean of Digital Currency Lawyers.” He authored the original SAFT (Simple Agreement for Future Tokens) framework, which became a widely adopted model for early-stage token fundraising. As Chief Legal Officer at Kraken, one of the most respected global exchanges, Marco helped steer the platform through the evolving regulatory challenges in the United States and abroad.
His career has spanned private practice, regulatory consulting, and C-level legal leadership. Whether advising startups, testifying before lawmakers, or shaping industry-wide initiatives, Marco has been a pivotal force in defining the line between innovation and compliance in crypto. His clarity, pragmatism, and reputation have made him a cornerstone of crypto law in the U.S. , and a model for what strategic legal counsel should look like in Web3.
Switzerland – Andreas Glarner
Law Firm: MME Legal
Andreas Glarner is a Partner with MME Legal, a pioneer law firm of crypto law in Switzerland best known for structuring the Ethereum Foundation in Zug in 2014. As a partner at MME Legal, Andreas, placed Switzerland at the center of the global crypto map. His legal expertise laid the foundation for what became the second-largest blockchain in the world, and his influence continues to ripple through the industry.
Andreas has worked with leading blockchain protocols, token issuers, and DAOs on everything from regulatory classification to tax structuring and tokenomics. He’s a thought leader in Swiss-compliant token offerings.
Liechtenstein – Dr. Thomas Nägele
Law Firm: Nägele Attorneys
Dr. Thomas Nägele was an integral part of the working group that drafted the Liechtenstein Blockchain Act, one of the most comprehensive and forward-looking legal frameworks for tokenized assets in the world. With a background as both a lawyer and computer scientist, Thomas brings unmatched precision and clarity to complex Web3 legal questions. His law firm, Nägele Attorneys, serves clients from across Europe and the globe who are navigating token classification, STO regulations, and VASP registration.
As a legal advisor to regulators and policymakers, Dr. Nägele’s work has influenced legislative thinking beyond Liechtenstein. He regularly speaks at global conferences and collaborates with DAOs, exchanges, and Web3 startups to build solid legal infrastructure. If you want a model for how token laws should be written, look no further than what Thomas has already accomplished.
Singapore Hon Ng
Role: Chief Legal Officer of Bitget
Hon Ng serves as a Chief Legal Officer at one of the fastest-growing crypto exchanges globally. He brings over 20 years of legal experience across traditional finance, tech, and Web3, having previously served as General Counsel at Binance and as a senior legal executive at Uber. At Bitget, he leads a 60+ person legal and compliance team, overseeing licensing, regulatory strategy, and global legal affairs.
Recognized by the Financial Times as one of the Top 20 Legal Leaders globally, Hon has advised on major deals including the Musk-led acquisition of X and the Uber-Grab Southeast Asia merger. He is known for championing 'compliance-enabled innovation' — ensuring legal clarity without slowing product growth. Hon is a key voice in shaping Asia's crypto regulatory landscape across multiple jurisdictions.
Cayman Islands – Michael Bacina
Law Firm: NXT Legal
Michael Bacina is best known for his role in shaping Australia’s Web3 legal environment, his newly established firm NXT Legal also advises some of the largest DAOs, exchanges, and token funds utilizing Cayman structures. Having served as director and chair of Digital Economy Council of Australia (formerly Blockchain Australia), Michael has regularly engaged with regulators, submitted law reform proposals, and appeared before Senate inquiries. He’s been instrumental in legitimizing DeFi and DAO structures from both a legal and public policy lens.
Michael is highly active in the Cayman Islands, a preferred jurisdiction for tokenized funds and decentralized foundations. His work spans token structuring, fund formation, DAO governance models, and cross-border legal compliance. With one foot in traditional law and one firmly in Web3, Michael has become a trusted advisor to some of the most influential players building in the space.
👇 Final Thoughts
Crypto doesn’t run on code alone, it runs on legal clarity, strategic compliance, and bold regulatory vision. These seven lawyers are building the frameworks, defending innovation, and pushing boundaries so that Web3 can scale globally and legally.
Want to work with them? Follow them. Learn from them. Because when history is written, these are the people who helped make crypto legitimate.