Power struggle erupts at Ondo Finance after founder’s death

A corporate governance dispute has emerged at Ondo Finance following the death of founder Nathan Allman, who served as the company's sole director and controlling shareholder. The estate, represented by Kathleen Allman, filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Chancery Court alleging that CEO Ian De Bode attempted to improperly seize control of the firm while voting rights were held in probate. According to the complaint, De Bode allegedly bypassed bylaws to appoint himself as the sole director and authorize corporate actions before the estate could exercise its voting power. Kathleen Allman, after being appointed personal representative, attempted to stabilize the company by appointing new directors and removing De Bode from his positions on July 24. De Bode has publicly contested these claims, labeling them meritless and asserting that the current leadership team maintains the support of key stakeholders and the Ondo Foundation. The legal battle highlights the critical importance of succession planning and governance structures for RWA issuers, as leadership uncertainty threatens to disrupt operations and contractual obligations. This conflict underscores the risks inherent in centralized control within the tokenized asset sector, where clear legal frameworks are essential for maintaining investor confidence. The court has yet to rule on the validity of the competing claims regarding the company's leadership.