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Rachel Epstein, Esq.

Founder & Principal, Proof of Law PLLC

Navigating the Frontier of Emerging Technology

Rachel Epstein is a globally recognized legal strategist and advisor operating at the intersection of technological innovation and complex regulation. With nearly a decade of experience, Rachel serves as a critical bridge for founders, start-ups, accelerators, incubators, and investment funds, helping them navigate the high-stakes regulatory landscapes of Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, and Quantum Computing.

As the founder of Proof of Law, Rachel provides the strategic legal architecture necessary to bring frontier tech to market. Her approach is rooted in de-risking innovation—ensuring that early-stage startups and their investors are protected while pushing the boundaries of decentralized and autonomous systems.

Blockchain: Decentralization & Governance

Rachel provides strategic counsel on navigating decentralized networks and tokenized ecosystems, with a specific focus on achieving compliance within the EU’s MiCA and DORA frameworks and evolving global standards.

  • Legion: Served as Head of Legal for this merit-based fundraising platform, architecting a compliant-by-design environment to democratize access to early-stage token offerings through automated compliance and anti-Sybil mechanisms.

  • Cyber (Fund): Advised the fund on digital asset treasury (DAT) investments and provided hands-on legal and strategic support to portfolio companies to ensure regulatory readiness for global markets.

  • ZKsync (Matter Labs): As Associate General Counsel, she pioneered on-chain governance models (Austrian Verein) designed to solve the "Ooki DAO" risk, protecting stakeholders through structural innovation.

  • Cardano (IOG/IOHK): Strategic policy advisor to Charles Hoskinson, spearheading U.S. government relations and securing the first-ever congressional testimony by a blockchain founder regarding CFTC oversight.

  • Hedera Hashgraph: Structured exempt token offerings and negotiated $25M+ enterprise deals, while developing the ecosystem's grant and bug bounty programs.

  • ConsenSys: Supported the growth of the Ethereum ecosystem through industry-standard tools like MetaMask, Infura, and Truffle.

Quantum Computing: The Next Cryptographic Frontier

Anticipating the next major shift in computational power, Rachel provides strategic counsel on quantum resilience and the future of security:

  • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): Advising digital asset protocols and fintechs on migrating to quantum-resistant standards (NIST) to safeguard long-term value.

  • Crypto-Agility: Helping investment funds and boards understand the timeline of "Q-Day" and the liability risks of failing to implement quantum-safe transitions today.

Credentials & Publications

Rachel is a CIPP/EU-certified, New York-barred attorney with degrees from Johns Hopkins (Phi Beta Kappa), Cambridge, Queen Mary London, and Cardozo School of Law.

Selected Publications:

  • Co-author, "Beyond Bitcoin: Leveraging Blockchain to Benefit Business and Society," University of Tennessee Business Law Journal (2019).

  • Co-author, "Not So Fast: Risks Related to the Use of a SAFT for Token Sales" ConsenSys (2018).

Featured speaker at EthDenver, EthCC, and Blockchain Futurist.

Personal

Based in New York City, Rachel is an avid traveler, foodie, patron of the arts, and fitness enthusiast. When she isn't de-risking the next generation of tech, you can find her at a Zumba class, enjoying the theater, or exploring NYC neighborhoods with her dog.

Three people and a dog stand in front of a large purple banner at ETHDenver 2024. They are wearing matching yellow bear-themed hats and smiling, with the two men wearing backpacks and one woman holding the dog.
A woman smiling and holding a dog dressed in a superhero costume, reading a colorful educational display about animals and number puzzles at a zoo exhibit.
A woman in sunglasses and a beanie with a small dog in a yellow bear costume on her shoulder, taking a selfie in a cafe with light streaming in from a window.
Panel discussion at a conference titled 'Crossing Borders: The Challenges and Opportunities of Global Blockchain Regulation and Compliance' with four people seated on stage, two women and two men, with a large digital screen displaying the title and theme above them.