Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank Interviewed on Blockchain Technology for Feature in Startup Boston
June 11, 2025
Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank, Digital IP Counsel at Hamilton Brook Smith Reynolds, recently sat down with Randall Woods for a feature in Startup Boston, discussing how Massachusetts can harness its strengths in blockchain technology while navigating the legal complexities that come with innovation. The full article, titled “Can Massachusetts Lead the Blockchain Boom? Legal Insights from Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank,” featured below, highlights opportunities for growth and the importance of thoughtful legal frameworks in supporting the Commonwealth’s blockchain community.
Can Massachusetts Lead the Blockchain Boom? Legal Insights from Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank
Massachusetts boasts a deep pipeline of blockchain talent emerging from world-class institutions like MIT, Harvard, Wellesley, Amherst College and Boston University, just to name a few. This positions the Bay State to capitalize on the market upswing, with Bitcoin above $100,000 and the Trump administration signaling a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment. The state's established fintech corridor along Route 128 and Boston's Innovation District, combined with VCs launching dedicated crypto funds, provide the infrastructure and capital networks needed for blockchain startups to scale. Yet this landscape faces notable tension, with prominent voices like Senator Elizabeth Warren remaining skeptical of digital assets, citing concerns about consumer protection and financial stability.
To explore how Massachusetts can harness its blockchain advantages while navigating legal complexities, we sat down with Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank, a computer scientist turned intellectual property attorney who specializes in blockchain technology at Boston-based law firm Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds, P.C. With her background spanning both technical development and legal practice, Fessenden-Fairbank offers insights into how thoughtful legal frameworks can help blockchain innovations thrive in the Commonwealth.
Startup Boston: Thanks for joining me today. To start, can you give us an overview of your practice and how it relates to blockchain technology?
Giovanna Fessenden-Fairbank: Absolutely. I’m an intellectual property attorney specializing in helping technology companies – especially those working with blockchain – protect their innovations and brands. I advise on patent portfolios, licensing and open-source issues. I’ve been immersed in the blockchain space since around 2016 and remain passionate about its potential beyond just token ecosystems.
SB: How did you first get involved with blockchain clients?
GFF: I initially worked with a client launching an ICO [initial coin offering] who I had helped with patents at a previous startup. I assisted with their whitepaper and IP strategy. That engagement led to referrals throughout the space. Over time, I built a diverse client roster, including blockchain-based gaming and esports related companies.
SB: How do you stay current on these rapid developments?
GFF: It’s a mix of client conversations, industry events and community forums. My passion drives me to learn continuously so I can guide clients on the cutting edge.
SB: When founders ask you to integrate blockchain into their technology, what key advice do you offer?
GFF: It starts by assessing whether blockchain truly fits their use case, since implementation can be resource-intensive. For projects issuing tokens, I always recommend engaging SEC counsel early. From the IP side and a technical perspective, we explore innovations that not only warrant patent protection but can also help distinguish a token’s functionality – potentially reducing securities-law exposure under tests like Howey.
SB: Beyond federal regulations, are there any Massachusetts-specific considerations?
GFF: Massachusetts has shown interest in fostering blockchain innovation, with the Healey administration exploring clearer guidelines and balancing consumer protection. Given our strong ecosystem of academic and startup talent, the state efforts aim to attract and support entrepreneurs here, although concrete rules are still evolving.
SB: Have you seen a resurgence of blockchain startups in Massachusetts recently?
GFF: The Massachusetts blockchain community has remained active since the ICO peak. While token fundraising cooled, innovation continued in enterprise projects and niche applications – a testament to blockchain’s technical advantages and our local talent pool.
SB: What other legal issues do blockchain companies face beyond IP and securities?
GFF: Privacy and KYC [know your customer] are major concerns – especially when personal data touches the chain. Clients must design systems that minimize sensitive data on-ledger or anonymize it properly – if appropriate. I also advise on open source licensing strategies for blockchain protocols, since open source can drive adoption and interoperability.
SB: So with the rise of decentralized AI, what are the key privacy and regulatory considerations companies should be aware of?
GFF: Combining blockchain with AI doesn’t inherently add new legal exposure beyond standard data-privacy concerns. Whether for medical or financial data, companies should consider anonymizing personal information before training models on that data or storing proofs on-chain.
SB: Looking ahead, which innovations in blockchain are you watching?
GFF: DAOs [decentralized autonomous organizations] remain intriguing – they promise distributed governance but demand clear execution and leadership models to succeed. I’m also following advancements in on-chain AI oracles and the convergence of DeFi [decentralized finance] with other emerging tech stacks.
About the author: Randall Woods is a former editor at Bloomberg News and currently is a Senior Vice President at SBS Comms, a communications agency for technology companies and startups.
