Lewis Cohen is the co-founder of DLx Law, a law firm founded in 2018 to serve the needs of a new, technology-driven economy.  Lewis and the DLx Law team provide in-depth legal counsel to startups, growth companies, major enterprises, and governmental entities on a broad range of matters involving the use of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and other disruptive technologies.  Passionate about the ability of innovative technologies to change the way businesses and individuals work together, Lewis has become a major advocate for potential of emerging technologies to benefit and transform industries around the globe.

Lewis brings more than 25 years of experience advising major clients in capital markets and finance transactions.  Lewis is a frequent public speaker on the topic of blockchain and distributed ledger technology.  Lewis served on the Board and Executive Committee of the Structured Finance Industry Group (SFIG). Lewis is also recognized by Chambers Global as one of only three lawyers in “Band 1” for Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies – USA. Follow Lewis on Twitter: @NYCryptolawyer.

In this first installment, we will begin by looking at the nature of digital assets from the perspective of a securities lawyer and explore why would securities law might apply to them.  Before attempting to apply a system of regulation to a type of asset, it is important to understand the character of that type of asset and how it is similar to (or different from) other assets that are treated as “securities”.  We will also briefly look at the history of securities law in the US in general to understand both its breadth of coverage and also its limitations.