DeFi Education Fund
DeFi Education Fund is a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan advocacy organization that conducts regulatory research, files policy comments, and builds coalitions to shape DeFi regulation in the U.S. and UK.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DeFi Education Fund does
DeFi Education Fund is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization focused on decentralized finance (DeFi) public policy. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization operates with a small team of 1-10 employees to influence regulatory frameworks affecting DeFi protocols and businesses. Its primary activities include filing regulatory comments, building policy coalitions, and engaging directly with rulemaking bodies such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The organization's board includes representatives from major DeFi ecosystem participants including Uniswap Labs and the Solana Policy Institute, with Gavin Zavatone serving as policy lead.
DeFi Education Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DeFi Education Fund
- Website
- https://defieducationfund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DeFi Education Fund is a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan advocacy organization that conducts regulatory research, files policy comments, and builds coalitions to shape DeFi regulation in the U.S. and UK.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DeFi Education Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Crypto Policy Advocacy
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DAO Treasury, Governance & On-Chain Finance Tools (FSADAMAL)
Keywords
Where DeFi Education Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DeFi Education Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Marketing channels3 records
DeFi Education Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DeFi Education Fund is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization that conducts policy education and regulatory advocacy for the decentralized finance ecosystem. It engages directly with U.S. federal legislators and regulators (SEC, Senate Banking Committee, House of Representatives), files formal comments on DeFi rulemaking, and builds coalitions such as the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC) and the Defend Developers PAC (DDPAC) to advance legal protections for non-custodial blockchain developers.
Product overview
The DeFi Education Fund (DEF) is a crypto policy advocacy organization that does not offer a traditional product or service portfolio. Instead, it operates through two main initiatives: (1) the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC), a cybersecurity coalition created to harden crypto infrastructure against threats and educate policymakers, and (2) the Defend Developers PAC (DDPAC), a political action committee focused on supporting legislators who champion legal protections for blockchain developers. These initiatives work toward regulatory clarity for decentralized finance rather than offering commercial software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC) A cryptocurrency cybersecurity coalition launched with Security Alliance (SEAL) and Asymmetric Research, designed to consolidate security resources, publish best practices, and educate U.S. policymakers on crypto infrastructure security for the benefit of crypto teams and developers.
- Defend Developers PAC (DDPAC) The first political action committee dedicated exclusively to backing incumbent members of Congress who support legal protections for blockchain developers, founded by DEF policy lead Gavin Zavatone with board representation from Solana Policy Institute and Uniswap Labs.
Companies that use DeFi Education Fund
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
DeFi Education Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
DeFi Education Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Security Alliance (SEAL)coreLaunched the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC) to strengthen crypto cybersecurity practices and educate lawmakers in Washington. The coalition holds educational events for legislators and creates a free central hub of security resources and best practices available to all crypto teams.
- Asymmetric ResearchcoreCo-founder of the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC) alongside Security Alliance and DeFi Education Fund. Contributes technical expertise to cryptocurrency cybersecurity initiatives and policy conversations.
- Defend Developers PAC (DDPAC)flagshipDEF policy lead Gavin Zavatone launched DDPAC, the first political action committee focused exclusively on backing lawmakers who support legal protections for blockchain developers. Board representation from Solana Policy Institute and Uniswap Labs. Plans to deploy more than six figures during the 2026 midterms.
- Digital ChambercoreCo-signed a letter to the SEC requesting formal notice-and-comment rulemaking on Decentralized Finance, advocating for clear principles-based criteria for broker-dealer definitions as they apply to DeFi.
- Blockchain AssociationcoreCo-signed an open letter urging U.S. universities to integrate DeFi and crypto education into business and law school curricula as part of the '1inch Forward' campaign coalition.
- 1inchflagshipLed the '1inch Forward' campaign coalition backed by DEF, Solana Policy Institute, Aave Labs, and Dune, urging U.S. universities to integrate DeFi education into curricula. Includes a campus tour starting at University of Pennsylvania on March 27, 2026.
- Solana Policy InstitutecoreBoard member of Defend Developers PAC alongside DEF and Uniswap Labs. Co-signatory on the '1inch Forward' open letter for university crypto education.
- Uniswap LabscoreBoard member of Defend Developers PAC. Co-signatory on the '1inch Forward' open letter for university crypto education alongside DEF and other industry organizations.
- Aave LabsminorCo-signed the '1inch Forward' open letter alongside DEF, advocating for DeFi and crypto education integration in U.S. university curricula.
- DuneminorCo-signed the '1inch Forward' open letter alongside DEF, advocating for DeFi and crypto education integration in U.S. university curricula.
- Major crypto and DeFi organizationscoreLed a coalition of crypto organizations opposing Citadel Securities' call for stricter SEC regulation of tokenized securities in DeFi. Argued that existing securities laws sufficiently address risks without applying intermediary regulations to decentralized protocols.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
DeFi Education Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blockchain Association: Leading U.S. crypto industry trade association that lobbies Congress and federal agencies on digital asset policy. Direct peer to DEF—co-signed the '1inch Forward' open letter and the SEC rulemaking request, operates from Washington D.C., and serves overlapping crypto/blockchain constituencies.
- Coin Center: The original U.S. crypto policy research and advocacy nonprofit, focused on regulatory clarity for non-custodial software and open blockchain networks. Highly comparable to DEF in mission, Washington D.C. base, and engagement with SEC, Treasury, and Congress on developer protections.
- Chamber of Digital Commerce: One of the longest-standing digital asset trade associations; engages U.S. and international policymakers on tokenization, DeFi, and stablecoins. Direct peer to DEF with overlapping federal advocacy remit and co-signed the SEC broker-dealer rulemaking letter.
- Solana Policy Institute: Washington D.C.-based policy advocacy organization focused on Solana network and broader crypto regulatory issues. Direct peer with board-level overlap on DDPAC and '1inch Forward' coalition—operates in the same non-custodial developer protection space as DEF.
- Crypto Council for Innovation: Global alliance of crypto industry participants advocating for sensible regulation with members including Coinbase, Block, and venture firms. Direct peer in policy advocacy mission and engages U.S. Congress and international standard-setters on DeFi-related issues.
Emerging players
- DeFi Alliance: DeFi-focused builder support and policy community with both education and advocacy components. Partial overlap with DEF—shares DeFi ecosystem focus but emphasizes accelerator-style support for founders rather than direct federal lobbying.
- Web3 Foundation: Foundation supporting the Polkadot ecosystem with both grants-funded development and policy advocacy. Partial overlap with DEF as a crypto ecosystem organization engaged in regulatory dialogue, though more focused on ecosystem funding than pure lobbying.
Regional players
- European Crypto Initiative: European-focused crypto policy advocacy organization engaging with EU MiCA implementation and member-state regulators. Regional peer to DEF—DEF has only a single UK FCA submission, so a European counterpart addresses geography DEF has not covered.
Broad incumbents
- Paradigm Policy: Crypto-focused investment firm with a dedicated policy function that has filed amicus briefs and engaged regulators on DeFi, stablecoins, and developer liability. While primarily a venture investor, its policy team addresses the same regulatory issues DEF works on, with substantially more resources.
- Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Crypto Policy: Major crypto venture firm with an active policy and regulatory practice that engages Congress, SEC, and CFTC on DeFi and developer protections. Functions as both an investor in DEF-aligned protocols and a competing policy voice with materially greater resources.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DeFi Education Fund social profiles
Digital presenceDeFi Education Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DeFi Education Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
DeFi Education Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DeFi Education Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DeFi Education Fund
What does DeFi Education Fund do?
DeFi Education Fund is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization that conducts policy education and regulatory advocacy for the decentralized finance ecosystem. It engages directly with U.S. federal legislators and regulators (SEC, Senate Banking Committee, House of Representatives), files formal comments on DeFi rulemaking, and builds coalitions such as the Open Protocol Security Coalition (OPSeC) and the Defend Developers PAC (DDPAC) to advance legal protections for non-custodial blockchain developers.
Is DeFi Education Fund a public or private company?
DeFi Education Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was DeFi Education Fund founded?
DeFi Education Fund was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DeFi Education Fund based?
DeFi Education Fund is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
Who are DeFi Education Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blockchain Association, Coin Center, Chamber of Digital Commerce, Solana Policy Institute and Crypto Council for Innovation. Emerging players are DeFi Alliance and Web3 Foundation. European Crypto Initiative is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Paradigm Policy and Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Crypto Policy.
Does DeFi Education Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for DeFi Education Fund.
What industry is DeFi Education Fund in?
DeFi Education Fund's product category is Crypto Policy Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSADAMAL, DAO Treasury, Governance & On-Chain Finance Tools. Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 6199.