Former Lido Holder Files Lawsuit Against Lido DAO
A former holder of Lido, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that manages a liquid staking protocol, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the organization. The lawsuit alleges that Lido’s token, LDO, was offered and sold as an unregistered security.
An Unregistered Securities Claim
The complaint, filed by Andrew Samuels, claims that Lido was set up to avoid regulatory scrutiny for its illegal business. The complaint quotes a member of the Lido DAO who stated that the organization could avoid SEC enforcement action because it is fully decentralized with no legal entities.
The complaint also references recent statements by SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who stated that all crypto tokens, except for Bitcoin, are considered securities.
A Tipped Balance of Power
Lido DAO initially opened its platform to the public but experienced a significant drop in price, causing losses for smaller investors like Samuels. The lawsuit alleges that the concentration of power within the staking protocol favors institutional investors and founders.
The filing claims that ordinary investors are unable to exert any meaningful influence on governance issues due to the majority of tokens being held by founders and early investors.
An Impressive Liquid Staking Protocol
Lido is one of the largest liquid staking protocols in the crypto industry, with a TVL of over $20 billion. The market cap of Lido is estimated to be $1.85 billion.
Hot Take: Former Lido Holder Seeks Legal Recourse Against Lido DAO
A former holder of Lido has taken legal action against the DAO, alleging that its token was sold as an unregistered security. The lawsuit raises concerns about regulatory scrutiny and the concentration of power within Lido DAO. As the case progresses, it may shed light on the legality of decentralized organizations and the responsibility they have towards their token holders. This lawsuit could have broader implications for the crypto industry as it navigates the intersection of decentralized governance, securities laws, and investor protection.