Resource Center
Stay in the know with the latest news and expert insights from StartSmart Counsel. Our dedicated team of advisors regularly shares valuable updates, industry trends, and business wisdom to help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey. Explore our curated collection of news articles and blog posts to gain valuable insights and stay ahead in your startup endeavors.
Is My Token a Security? A Startup-Friendly Guide to SEC Rules
The question “Is my token a security?” has never been more critical for startup founders in the blockchain space. As regulators sharpen their focus on digital assets, understanding how the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines and enforces its rules is essential. This guide walks through the SEC’s framework, how to assess your token, key compliance pathways, and practical steps to minimize legal risk.
How Startups Can Stay Compliant While Using Blockchain Tools
In the rush to innovate, startups leveraging blockchain tools must balance agility with a keen eye on compliance. Whether you’re launching a token sale, integrating smart contracts, or building a DeFi platform, regulatory missteps can derail your roadmap—and saddle you with costly fines. Here’s how to stay on the right side of the law without slowing down your innovation.
Crypto Asset ETFs Explained: Why the SEC’s Latest Guidance Matters for DeFi and Tech Founders
On July 1, 2025, the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance released a detailed statement clarifying how federal securities laws apply to crypto asset exchange-traded products (ETPs). While the statement is highly technical, its implications are profound, not only for institutional investors and traditional financial firms but also for decentralized finance (DeFi) founders, crypto innovators, and fintech entrepreneurs.
To understand why this matters, it is important to first explain what crypto asset ETPs are, why they are significant, and how this guidance reshapes the regulatory landscape for the next generation of digital asset products.
YouTube’s July 2025 Demonetization Policy Update: A Scholarly Analysis of Authenticity in Platform Governance
On July 15, 2025, YouTube announced a policy update that, while labeled “minor,” reflects deeper normative shifts in the governance of digital platforms. Specifically, the company renamed its longstanding “repetitious content” policy to “inauthentic content” and clarified that the policy encompasses content that is repetitive or mass-produced. Importantly, YouTube emphasized that this type of material has always been ineligible for monetization under its existing policies, which reward original and authentic contributions. The change does not affect the separate reused content policy that applies to commentary, clips, compilations, and reaction videos.
Crypto Meets the Mortgage Market: What Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s New Crypto Directive Means for DeFi and Tech Founders
In a groundbreaking development for U.S. financial markets, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider cryptocurrency holdings as part of homebuyers’ asset profiles when assessing mortgage risks. Announced by FHFA Director William Pulte on June 25, 2025, this directive instructs the two government-sponsored mortgage giants to draft proposals for including crypto assets as part of borrower reserves, without requiring their conversion into U.S. dollars. Only assets held on U.S.-regulated centralized exchanges will qualify under this framework, ensuring alignment with federal compliance standards.
The Tokenization of Securities: Key SEC Statements and Takeaways for Tech Founders
On July 9, 2025, SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce issued a statement titled “Enchanting, but Not Magical: A Statement on the Tokenization of Securities,” offering critical insights into how U.S. securities laws apply to blockchain-based tokenization. Just two months prior, SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins delivered the keynote at the Crypto Task Force Roundtable, outlining a vision for a more rational, innovation-friendly regulatory framework for crypto assets.
How a Subscription Agreement Protects SaaS Revenue Streams
In the competitive SaaS landscape, predictable, recurring revenue is your lifeline—and a rock-solid subscription agreement is the guardian at the gate. By clearly defining rights, obligations, and remedies, it minimizes churn, enforces payment, and shields you from liability. Here’s how a well-crafted subscription agreement protects your SaaS revenue stream:
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