{"id":"gerald-gallagher","title":"Gerald Gallagher","content":"**Gerald Gallagher** is serving as the General Counsel at Sei Labs and President of the Sei Development Foundation. He plays a crucial role in shaping the legal and governance frameworks for [Sei](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sei), a high-performance [Layer 1](https://iq.wiki/wiki/layer-1) [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) that integrates elements of [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum) and [Solana](https://iq.wiki/wiki/solana) to enhance transaction speed and scalability. Gallagher is also heavily involved in the broader crypto ecosystem through his co-hosting of the \"Crypto in America\" podcast and his foundational role in DC DAO, which emphasizes community-driven innovation and policy advancement in the blockchain space. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m9qK1v3Vjhw7ZmHk) [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-01moCkN2VMvbeBgV) [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-KIDAIFKKr1ghDISP)​\n\n### Early Life and Education\n\nGerald Gallagher received a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government from the University of South Carolina. During his undergraduate studies, he was named to the Dean's List in Spring 2011 and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.\n\nHe subsequently earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law. While attending law school, he received the CALI Award and participated in academic programs including Law & Economics, Bioethics, and the Transnational Dispute Resolution Program. He was also a member of the Honourable Society of Gray's Inn and the Phi Delta Phi International Honor Society. In addition, he co-founded the Sport & Entertainment Law Society, serving as its Vice President, and worked as a peer mentor.\n\nGallagher also completed an International Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Investment Finance at the Darla Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina. During the program, he served as President of the MBA Consulting Club, received the Moore School Excellence Award, was a Top 10 Global Finalist in the Bain & Company 2015 Innovation Competition, and participated in case competitions, pro bono consulting projects, and the International Program at Universidad de Salamanca.\n\nHe later obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Law & Entrepreneurship from Duke University School of Law. His academic activities included the Practicum, CED Connections to Capital, the Program for Entrepreneurs (P4E), the Fuqua Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Club, the Duke Startup Challenge, where he served as a judge, and the Advanced Degree Consulting Club, where he held the position of Vice Chair of Projects. He also finished in second place at the Fuqua Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC). The program included coursework related to the legal and business processes associated with company formation and exit.\n\nIn 2021, Gallagher completed Duke University's Summer Blockchain Program. The program covered blockchain fundamentals, [smart contract](https://iq.wiki/wiki/smart-contract) development, [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) startup concepts, and entrepreneurship. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m9qK1v3Vjhw7ZmHk)​\n\n## Career\n\n### Venture Capital\n\nGerald Gallagher began his career in venture capital, spending approximately five years working on investments in the fintech and healthcare sectors, both of which operate within regulated industries. His work during this period focused on evaluating investment opportunities and navigating regulatory considerations affecting companies in these sectors, which served as a basis for later work with [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets).\n\nDuring this time, Gallagher co-founded DC DAO and Vellum, organizations focused on legal and operational issues related to decentralized organizations and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) projects. Vellum was established to develop legal frameworks for [decentralized autonomous organizations](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao) (DAOs), addressing legal structures associated with [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain)-based governance models.\n\n### Sei Labs\n\nGallagher joined Sei Labs as Counsel in 2024 before becoming General Counsel in January 2025. In this position, he oversees legal affairs for the [Sei](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sei) [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain), including governance, regulatory matters, legal strategy, and institutional engagement. His responsibilities include the development of legal frameworks for decentralized infrastructure, management of regulatory risk, and discussions with regulators and institutional organizations regarding blockchain policy and compliance.\n\nIn April 2025, Gallagher was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the Sei Development Foundation, an independent U.S. non-profit organization that supports the adoption of open-source, permissionless protocols, including [Sei](https://iq.wiki/wiki/sei). The foundation works with developers and organizations participating in the Sei ecosystem while supporting [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure initiatives in the United States.\n\n### Policy and Regulatory Activities\n\nAlongside his legal responsibilities, Gallagher has participated in public policy discussions related to [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) regulation and [digital assets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets). His work has included engagement with policymakers on regulatory frameworks affecting the [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) industry, including discussions surrounding the repeal of the [DeFi](https://iq.wiki/wiki/defi) broker rule.\n\nHis activities have also involved discussions concerning the relationship between regulatory policy, decentralized technologies, and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure, with an emphasis on legal and institutional considerations for [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) networks.\n\n### Conferences and Public Speaking\n\nGallagher has participated in conferences, panel discussions, and podcasts covering [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) regulation and [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) policy. His appearances include the Digital Assets Conference at Duke University, where he discussed legal, policy, and technology issues related to blockchain, and [ETHDenver](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethdenver) 2026, where he addressed legal frameworks, blockchain governance, and institutional adoption.\n\n### Media\n\nGallagher is co-host of the Crypto in America podcast, a weekly interview series featuring policymakers, legal professionals, founders, and other participants in the [digital asset](https://iq.wiki/wiki/digital-assets) industry. The podcast covers topics related to [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency), public policy, [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technology, and regulatory developments in the United States. [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-m9qK1v3Vjhw7ZmHk)  [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-01moCkN2VMvbeBgV)  [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-KIDAIFKKr1ghDISP)  [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-1RI382DYZZgGRPgR)  [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-nC7UYpoW6WPDqgNs)  [\\[6\\]](#cite-id-OY8vyyji0l44qZPc)  [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-oSYRo47d69VOYKku)  [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-D4UvyJHFVR1HXSls)  [\\[9\\]](#cite-id-sjK5JcaDX8Ltoy8N)  [\\[10\\]](#cite-id-oVqOJlrvhFQZDsuP)  [\\[11\\]](#cite-id-eHfCoC1LQrc1fRfg)  [\\[12\\]](#cite-id-kWSBRJGbQndGLpkL)  [\\[13\\]](#cite-id-7DpekUj6e9YDKobo)  [\\[14\\]](#cite-id-7m5zeU7KoNzkEyLu)  [\\[15\\]](#cite-id-tDSJyp1dMx0Cf4mQ) \n\n## Interview\n\n#### Perspectives on Blockchain Regulation #01\n\nIn an interview published by the ATX DAO YouTube channel on July 31, 2024, Gerald Gallagher discussed legal structures, governance models, and regulatory considerations for [decentralized autonomous organizations](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao) (DAOs). Speaking from his perspective, he stated that different DAOs may require different legal structures depending on their activities and organizational objectives. He referenced legal entities including limited liability companies (LLCs), Limited Cooperative Associations (LCAs), and Digital Unincorporated Nonprofit Associations (DUNAs) as examples of frameworks that may be used by DAO projects.\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=xsAI8CDeo1A)\n\nGallagher also discussed governance within [DAOs](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao), stating that community members can participate in proposing and managing initiatives rather than relying exclusively on founding teams. Referring to DC DAO, he outlined its organizational areas of community, innovation, and public policy, and described interactions with policymakers and legislative staff as part of discussions related to digital asset regulation.\n\nDuring the interview, Gallagher stated that regulatory approaches should allow experimentation while maintaining mechanisms to address fraud and other unlawful activities. He compared the development of blockchain technology with earlier industries that experienced periods of expansion alongside regulatory and market challenges. Gallagher also said that speculative blockchain applications, including meme coins, can generate network activity that reveals technical limitations related to scalability, transaction throughput, and user experience. According to Gallagher, these observations may provide information about [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) infrastructure under conditions of increased demand. [\\[16\\]](#cite-id-2CExPXexB01o8AUY) \n\n#### Perspectives on Venture Capital #02\n\nIn an interview published on November 12, 2025, on the Investor Connect podcast hosted by Hall Martin, Gerald Gallagher discussed topics related to venture capital, healthcare investment, and startup financing. Drawing on his role at Healthworx, he outlined his perspective on changes in the healthcare sector, citing technological developments, shifts in patient behavior, and regulatory changes following the COVID-19 pandemic as factors influencing investment activity.\n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=xH9XPg9HWfo)\n\nGallagher stated that investors may evaluate opportunities based on knowledge of specific industries or professional experience, while founders should prepare for fundraising by refining their presentations and demonstrating familiarity with the markets in which they operate. He said that investors often consider a founder's understanding of the problem being addressed and the rationale behind the proposed business model during the evaluation process.\n\nThe discussion also covered changes in startup financing, including the use of crowdfunding frameworks, token-based fundraising models, and [decentralized autonomous organizations ](https://iq.wiki/wiki/dao)(DAOs). Gallagher noted that these approaches have introduced additional funding mechanisms but remain subject to evolving regulatory frameworks. He also described Healthworx's investment focus on Series A and Series B digital health companies, referencing areas such as healthcare interoperability and behavioral health as examples of sectors monitored by the firm. 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Over a decade at the intersection of law and finance.\",\"timestamp\":1782483994175,\"url\":\"https://wellfound.com/p/gerald-gallagher\"},{\"id\":\"oVqOJlrvhFQZDsuP\",\"description\":\"Sei Foundation backs new U.S. nonprofit in bid to fuel protocol's adoption and growth\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782484014138,\"url\":\"https://www.theblock.co/post/349097/sei-foundation-backs-new-u-s-nonprofit-in-bid-to-fuel-protocols-adoption-and-growth\"},{\"id\":\"eHfCoC1LQrc1fRfg\",\"description\":\"AAA® and Industry Leaders Launch Legal Protocol for Agentic Commerce\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782484025287,\"url\":\"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aaa-and-industry-leaders-launch-legal-protocol-for-agentic-commerce-302808632.html\"},{\"id\":\"kWSBRJGbQndGLpkL\",\"description\":\"‘Congress Is Aligned with Innovation,’ Says Sei Labs General Counsel\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782484036574,\"url\":\"https://thedefiant.io/news/regulation/defi-broker-rule-repealed-signals-crypto-aligned-congress\"},{\"id\":\"7DpekUj6e9YDKobo\",\"description\":\"The L Suite 2025 Crypto Offsite\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782484046354,\"url\":\"https://www.wsgr.com/en/events/the-l-suite-2025-crypto-offsite.html\"},{\"id\":\"7m5zeU7KoNzkEyLu\",\"description\":\"Sei Foundation Establishes Sei Development Foundation\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782484057772,\"url\":\"https://coinpasar.sg/sei-foundation-establishes-sei-development-foundation/\"},{\"id\":\"tDSJyp1dMx0Cf4mQ\",\"description\":\"Gerald Gallagher\\nGeneral Counsel at Sei Labs\\nSpeaker\",\"timestamp\":1782484073386,\"url\":\"https://informaconnect.com/gaim-ops-cayman/speakers/gerald-gallagher/\"},{\"id\":\"2CExPXexB01o8AUY\",\"description\":\"Gerald Gallagher on Pioneering Innovation within Regulatory Frameworks at DC DAO\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782484825594,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsAI8CDeo1A\"},{\"id\":\"2qD6whpx9AmisaNN\",\"description\":\"Investor Connect - 692 - Gerald Gallagher of Healthworx\\n\",\"timestamp\":1782485069059,\"url\":\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH9XPg9HWfo\"}]"},{"id":"twitter_profile","value":"https://x.com/thatgerald"},{"id":"linkedin_profile","value":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerald-gallagher-285040b6/"},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"\"https://ipfs.everipedia.org/ipfs/QmWRKt65VAR7z3G1PxsBAffyBm2cHVPcfPFYyJDnf4mqbq\""},{"id":"commit-message","value":"\"Updated wiki content; Events changed (3 -> 3 items), Media changed (2 -> 4 items), References changed (15 -> 17 citations)\""},{"id":"previous_cid","value":"QmWRKt65VAR7z3G1PxsBAffyBm2cHVPcfPFYyJDnf4mqbq"}],"events":[{"id":"25007a7f-56fc-4c01-a401-b62d49134926","date":"2025-01-01","title":"Became General Counsel at Sei Labs","type":"CREATED","description":"Gerald joined Sei Labs to fortify legal frameworks for the company's high-performance Layer 1 blockchain.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"1e1587ba-3034-4f95-a35c-5ce9aeb4ddd4","date":"2025-03-01","title":"Co-hosted the Crypto in America Podcast","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Gerald co-hosts a leading podcast focused on crypto policy and innovation in the US.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null},{"id":"a707bb27-23c2-4a86-bec2-0e4e1585118b","date":"2025-04-01","title":"Co-founded DC DAO","type":"DEFAULT","description":"Co-founded DC DAO to foster community and innovation in the blockchain ecosystem.","link":null,"continent":null,"country":null}],"user":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"author":{"id":"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889"},"operator":{"id":"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56"},"language":"en","version":1,"linkedWikis":{"blockchains":[],"founders":[],"speakers":[]},"recentActivity":"{\"items\":[{\"id\":\"3c581103-f10e-4a49-b571-2ccae905f684\",\"title\":\"Gerald Gallagher\",\"description\":\"Gerald Gallagher is the General Counsel at Sei Labs and co-host of the \\\"Crypto in America\\\" podcast, known for his work in digital assets, decentralization, and regulatory frameworks.\",\"timestamp\":\"2026-06-26T14:46:02.571Z\",\"category\":\"people\",\"status\":{\"icon\":\"RiGlobalLine\",\"label\":\"Wiki Updated\",\"iconClassName\":\"text-green-500\"},\"user\":{\"name\":\"0x8af7a19a26d8fbc48defb35aefb15ec8c407f889\",\"address\":\"0xd5893989b9952c6568a99F854795AcC5Ae480D56\"},\"button\":{\"label\":\"View Summary\",\"icon\":\"RiFileTextLine\"},\"summarySections\":[{\"title\":\"Content\",\"subtitle\":\"Main page content was replaced/updated (content field removed and a new content block added).\",\"variant\":\"modified\",\"changeCount\":1,\"changes\":[\"Replaced/updated the page content (entire content field replaced). 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