Lawyers don’t build the future—they safeguard it. But what happens when a legal mind refuses to just stand guard and instead helps architect the blueprint?
Meet Charné Thompson (The Web3 Lawyer), founder of Thompsons Legal Alliance (TLA), a Web3 attorney who rewrote the rulebook—literally. In an industry where ‘precedent’ is gospel, Charné chose to specialize in a field with none: blockchain law. From convincing skeptical professors to supervise her thesis on smart contracts in 2017, to advising projects that tokenize Africa’s solar energy revolution, her journey defies the dusty stereotypes of legal practice.
In this edition of Onyx Africa’s Web3 Founder Series, we dive into how Charné bridges the gap between innovation and compliance, why Web3 founders need to ‘speak legal’ from day one, and her vision for an Africa where blockchain isn’t just disruptive—but durable…
Charné, let’s kick it off at the genesis. Your journey into Web3 law is anything but conventional. The legal profession is steeped in tradition, yet you chose to dive into the uncharted waters of blockchain, decentralization, and digital assets. What was the defining moment that led you to take this leap? Was there a particular case, event, or realization that pushed you towards specializing in this space?
My defining moment was as far back as high school, when the internet was booming and I thought whatever I do, it needs to ride this digital wave!
Fast forward through my law degree; I wasn’t about to settle for dusty law books and traditional practice, I had my sights set on something more.
After completing my first degree, I decided to start carving out my specialisation under my postgraduate and masters degrees.
Rewind back to 2017: I’m trying to convince my 69-year-old law professor to supervise a dissertation on smart contracts, he probably thought I was speaking alien! But that’s the thing about being early to the party – sometimes you have to create your own dance floor.
In essence, I was skating on thin ice through my final year, trying to win over the Dean of the University to convince her to sign off on my creative whims in structuring my own degree.
Then came the classic catch-22 of needing experience to get experience – postgrad. But after some time, the stars aligned – I was headhunted by a legal tech company (cue sigh of relief!). I was tasked with training AI and managing offshore litigation projects with teams of up to 80 lawyers; one of which was Gamestop… need I say more!
Blockchain technology moves at breakneck speed, and regulation is constantly evolving. As a Web3 attorney with extensive experience in compliance, risk management, and corporate structuring, what are some of the biggest misconceptions businesses and entrepreneurs have when navigating the legal side of crypto and digital assets? How do you see these challenges evolving in the next few years?
A common misunderstanding is the belief that compliance can be retrofitted after building a product, in the Web3 world- everyone comes in thinking it’s the Wild West, no rules, just vibes.
However, those regulations from the 1990s? Yeah, they still apply to your super-cutting-edge DeFi protocol.’ In Web3, your legal considerations need to be architecturally embedded from day one.
Looking ahead, I anticipate these challenges evolving as regulators become more sophisticated in their understanding of blockchain technology. We’re likely to see more nuanced, technology-specific regulations emerging, particularly around DeFi, NFTs, and cross-border transactions.
Your firm is “cloaked with a commercial appreciation, propelled by the digital future of law” and operates on three fundamental pillars—Innovation, Partnership, and Trust. How do these principles shape your approach to legal consulting in Web3? Can you give an example of how these values have directly influenced your work with a client or project?
Well If I’m being honest, lawyers tend to be seen as the ‘Department of No’ / Handbrakes or worse, sharks. That’s why I learned to speak ‘founder’ instead of legalese and created what I like to call a ‘sandbox’ approach, allowing founders and devs to safely build within legal boundaries to aid their commercial objective not stagnate them, and in doing so I work alongside them as a fractional CLO – without the full-time executive price tag.
Without breaking any NDAs—can you share one or two of the most interesting Web3 projects you’ve worked on? 👀 What made them stand out? Were there any unexpected legal hurdles that you had to creatively navigate?
I’ve had the privilege of working on some fascinating projects. Such as helping visionaries use blockchain to democratise solar energy investment in Africa. Which is turning massive solar installations into bite-sized, investable tokens so that everyday people can get in on the green energy revolution.
From a legal standpoint, we had to get creative in structuring these ‘bite-sized’ investment tokens to ensure they didn’t accidentally trigger securities regulations while still maintaining investor protection.
The legal challenges are usually around threading the needle between different jurisdictions’ requirements for data protection laws, and the thorny issue of digital identity verification and creating a compliance framework that worked seamlessly across multiple African borders. It’s like playing regulatory Tetris, but with blockchain!
What made these projects particularly interesting was figuring out how to apply traditional legal frameworks to these new technologies in a way that didn’t stifle innovation. Sometimes it meant restructuring the entire approach to fit within existing legal boundaries. It’s a dance between innovation and compliance that keeps things interesting.
Beyond your role at TLA, you’re deeply involved in various industry-shaping initiatives—Blockchain Lawyers Forum, Crypto Assets Association of South Africa (CAASA), Women in Web3 (WiW3) & AI African Chapter, and even co-founding CarbonTokenFund and SAME. What drives your involvement in these initiatives, and how do they complement your work at TLA?
Through our podcast ‘Hotline by SAME,’ we’re sharing the real, unfiltered stories of founders – the ups, the downs, and everything in between. Think of it as creating a digital campfire where entrepreneurs can share their war stories and wisdom. Because let’s face it – the entrepreneurial journey can feel like riding a roller coaster blindfolded. We’re here to turn on some lights and maybe add a few safety bars!
Being part of organisations like CAASA, Women in Web3 and the AI African Chapter and Blockchain Lawyers Forum is about creating spaces to enhance and cultivate this rapidly growing industry. These initiatives complement TLA’s mission stemming from a deep commitment to empowering underrepresented groups in the tech space and it keeps us connected to the grassroots challenges and innovations in the space; while helping build a more inclusive ecosystem.
Africa is often hailed as the next frontier for blockchain adoption, yet regulatory clarity remains a significant challenge. What are some of the biggest legal hurdles you see in Africa’s Web3 space, and how can firms like TLA help shape a more blockchain-friendly regulatory environment?
Africa’s Web3 landscape presents unique regulatory challenges. The primary hurdle is the fragmented regulatory approach across different jurisdictions, creating uncertainty for projects operating across borders. Many African countries are still developing their stance on cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, leading to a complex patchwork of regulations.
Firms like TLA play a crucial role in shaping a blockchain-friendly environment by engaging with regulators, sharing expertise, and helping craft balanced frameworks that protect consumers while fostering innovation. We’re actively working to bridge the knowledge gap, advocating for regulations that acknowledge both the unique opportunities and risks in the African context.
From central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to real-world asset tokenization, blockchain is transforming industries. Based on your observation of the space, what are the biggest opportunities in Web3 for African entrepreneurs and traditional businesses looking to adapt to this new technology? If you could give one key piece of legal advice to an African founder launching a Web3 project today, what would it be?
The biggest opportunities in African Web3 lie in:
- Solving fundamental infrastructure challenges.
- Real-world asset tokenization could revolutionize property rights and land registration systems.
- DeFi protocols could provide financial services to the unbanked population.
- Decentralized ride-sharing platforms; Peer-to-peer electricity trading systems.
- Marketplace apps that help small businesses build verifiable credit histories.
My key legal advice to African founders launching Web3 projects today would be: Build your compliance framework like you’re building your product – from the ground up. Think of it as your project’s immune system, not a band-aid you slap on later.
Focus on solving real African problems while maintaining global best practices in governance and transparency. Understand that being regulatory-compliant doesn’t mean compromising on innovation – it means building sustainable solutions that can scale across borders.
Thank you, Charné, for sharing your insights and expertise on the evolving world of Web3 law. Your work at TLA and beyond is shaping the legal foundations of blockchain, ensuring that innovation and compliance can coexist. As Africa continues to emerge as a leader in digital asset adoption, your contributions to regulatory clarity and legal structuring will be invaluable.
For entrepreneurs and businesses navigating this space, having legal pioneers like you is crucial to fostering trust and long-term growth. We look forward to seeing how Thompsons Legal Alliance and your initiatives continue to drive the Web3 revolution going forward…
Web3 is often painted as a David vs. Goliath battle—a fight between decentralized innovation and legacy institutions reluctant to change. But as Charné Thompson has proven, it doesn’t have to be a fight at all. Instead, it’s about bridging the gap—aligning disruptive technology with robust legal frameworks, ensuring innovation doesn’t get stifled by outdated rules, and helping founders build with compliance, not against it.
Her work at TLA, Blockchain Lawyers Forum, and CAASA is a testament to this mission. By educating, advocating, and structuring solutions that make legal sense without compromising creativity, she’s ensuring that Africa isn’t just a spectator in the Web3 revolution—it’s a leader.
For founders navigating the murky waters of regulation, Charné leaves one key takeaway: “Think of compliance as your immune system, not a band-aid. Build it from the ground up.” Because in this ever-evolving space, the most successful projects won’t just be the most innovative—they’ll be the most resilient.