For the longest time, lawyers have been the gatekeepers of legal knowledge. We are the ones people turned to if they wanted to understand the law, interpret a judgment or draft an agreement. That knowledge was held first in private libraries guarded by dusty hardbacks, then in specialist databases that you needed a password (and a law degree) to navigate. Then the internet came along and cracked open the vault. Now?

The last few weeks have been very "interesting". Since the launch of $TRUMP and $MELANIA, we've seen the memecoin space explode and stretch the limits of what legal systems are designed to handle. The rule of law is essential for maintaining fairness, accountability, and order. However, web3 operates outside of traditional enforcement structures, making it impossible to apply existing legal frameworks. So, what then, is the solution?

I've been active in the Australian crypto space for nearly 4 years now. Some of you reading this have probably been around in the space longer. Some have just entered recently. What follows are my thoughts on the state of crypto (especially DeFi and self-custody) in Australia. Some of it is supported by cold hard facts. Most is based on my observations and various conversations with many key people in the Australian crypto space over the last few years. Because, over the last few years, I've ...