DeFi Education Fund launches to drive policy engagement and tax-efficient giving

The DeFi Education Fund launch marks a pivotal step in crypto policy advocacy, introducing a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to educate lawmakers, protect blockchain developers, and promote sound decentralized finance (DeFi) regulation. Announced this week in the United States, the initiative will also allow donors to contribute cryptocurrency in a tax-efficient manner while advancing the organization’s mission.

Expanding advocacy through nonprofit status

The DeFi Education Fund launch formalizes years of advocacy work into a structure that appeals to both policymakers and supporters. Operating under the name DeFi Education Foundation, the entity will continue the digital asset collective’s core mission—advancing DeFi-friendly policy—while adding the fiscal benefits of charitable giving incentives.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the DeFi Education Foundation — a newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to furthering our mission of educating lawmakers about DeFi, protecting software developers, and promoting sound DeFi policy,” the group said in a press release.

According to the foundation, in-kind cryptocurrency donations can now be made directly to the nonprofit, providing a more tax-efficient way for contributors to support its advocacy.

“This is a net-positive for many of our donors,” the organization noted.

Policy priorities amid regulatory uncertainty

The DeFi Education Fund launch comes at a time of heightened regulatory debate in the U.S. The foundation is collaborating with venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) to push for a “safe harbor” framework for blockchain-powered applications.

Their proposals, recently submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), aim to address concerns that the current regulatory approach could classify neutral blockchain app developers as brokers.

“Requiring broker registration for neutral apps would force software developers to take on roles and responsibilities they never assumed — acting as gatekeepers, taking custody, and intermediating activity — all of which undermine the benefits of blockchain systems and create new risks for users,” the DeFi Education Fund stated in a blog post.

For policymakers, the foundation argues, creating clear exemptions for non-custodial software developers is essential to preserving innovation while protecting consumers. This mirrors broader calls from the crypto industry for regulatory frameworks that distinguish between infrastructure providers and intermediaries.

Strengthening the dialogue with lawmakers

By establishing nonprofit status, the DeFi Education Fund launch enhances the group’s ability to engage directly with lawmakers and regulators. The foundation will use its expanded platform to host educational briefings, provide policy analysis, and offer technical expertise to decision-makers grappling with blockchain legislation.

“Educating policymakers is the most effective way to ensure regulations are both fair and innovation-friendly,” —Jake Chervinsky, Chief Legal Officer at Variant Fund, said in a statement supporting the launch.

“The DeFi Education Fund has been at the forefront of this work, and formalizing its nonprofit structure will only strengthen its impact.”

This outreach comes as several legislative proposals on digital assets are moving through Congress, many of which could shape the legal environment for decentralized platforms for years to come.

Dual mission: advocacy and donor engagement

The DeFi Education Fund launch underscores a dual purpose—continuing its role as a policy advocate for the DeFi ecosystem while giving donors a structured, tax-advantaged way to support the cause. Supporters can now align charitable giving with crypto policy reform, a model the foundation hopes will attract a wider base of contributors.

“Advocacy work needs sustainable funding, and offering donors a tax-efficient option is a smart way to ensure longevity,” —Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, told reporters.

With the regulatory environment still in flux, the foundation sees its mission as more urgent than ever. The DeFi Education Fund launch represents both a strategic evolution and a reaffirmation of its core goals: safeguarding developer rights, advancing smart regulation, and keeping the DeFi sector open to innovation.