Printed circuit board futuristic server

> Experience > Sectors and focus areas > Crypto and digital assets

Crypto and digital assets lawyers

Highly experienced in both the legal and technical sides of decentralized finance, our global team of lawyers can support anyone – from issuers to innovators and investors – wanting to navigate the fast-changing world of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and digital assets.

We help individuals and businesses successfully navigate blockchain, cryptocurrency and the decentralized finance ecosystem.

From cryptocurrency, stable coins, NFTs and wallets to decentralized exchanges, payment networks, lending and insurance platforms, blockchain infrastructure developments, marketplaces, and investment engines, the decentralized finance (‘DeFi’) ecosystem heralds a new and exciting era in global finance.

Our multi-disciplinary blockchain, cryptocurrency and DeFi lawyers advise issuers, innovators, investors, promoters, asset managers, family offices, and exchanges on securities, corporate, tax, regulation, compliance, dispute resolution, data privacy, cyber security, family law, estate planning and charitable giving matters. With a global team of more than 100 cryptocurrency and digital assets lawyers across the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific, our clients range from major cryptocurrency exchanges, companies launching initial coin offerings (‘ICOs’) or initial exchange offerings (‘IEOs’) companies innovating in new areas on the blockchain, to veteran investors building robust asset and succession structures for their accumulated wealth, and new investors in cryptocurrencies and tokens.

Deep Market insight

We speak the language of DeFi, both legally and technically. We grasp and have even helped develop the technology underlying innovations in blockchain and digital assets. We deal with cryptocurrencies, tokens, consensus-based algorithms, and smart contracts on a regular basis for our clients. Our global team also understands and can address the legal and compliance requirements of next-generation supply chain ecosystems that utilize AI, internet of things (“IoT”), sensors and smart contracts. Together these interoperable ecosystems are the foundation of the next generation global economy.

Crypto and fintech disputes and regulatory advice

Our crypto and digital assets team provides bespoke regulatory, litigation and arbitration services for clients in DeFi, crypto and fintech. We know and navigate the existing and rapidly evolving regulatory framework facing individuals and entities operating in this fast-pacedspace. We represent individuals and entities in civil litigation and arbitration across the globe.  We regularly appear before courts, regulators, prosecutors, and agencies around the world, such as the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (‘SEC’), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (‘CFTC’), Internal Revenue Service (‘IRS’), and Department of Justice ('DOJ'), the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’), and many more.

Compliance services

We advise clients regarding compliance with securities, commodities, tax, anti-money laundering, banking and privacy laws and regulations, including, among others:

  • US FinCEN Money Services Business registrations and AML/KYC compliance
  • US SEC exempt securities offerings (Regulation A, D, CF exemptions)
  • US SEC Howey test interpretation 
  • US state “Blue sky” and Gaming laws and regulations
  • California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)
  • EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
  • EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulations (e.g. 5AMLD)
  • EU – Markets in Crypto Assets report/legislation
  • OECD Crypto Asset Reporting Framework report/proposed legislation
  • UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2000
  • UK The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (UK)
  • UK Money Laundering Regulations 2017
  • UK E-money Regulations 2011
  • UK Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II
  • UK Payment Services Regulations 2017
  • Singapore Payment Services Act (PSA)
  • Singapore and Hong Kong Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counterterrorist-Financing (CTF) rules/ ordinance
  • Singapore Securities and Futures Act (including the Capital Markets Services license and MAS Sandbox)
  • Hong Kong SFC’s Regulatory Framework for Virtual Asset Portfolios Managers, Fund Distributors and Trading Platform Operators

How we can help you

Issuers

  • Reviewing cryptocurrencies and tokens from a global securities law perspective
  • Designing tokens, issuance and software development structures
  • Tax advice 
  • Structuring pre-mine allocation and vesting arrangements
  • Negotiating and preparing agreements with VCs, their advisors, and other external stakeholders
  • Reviewing ICO/IEO documentation including T's & C's, information disclosures, privacy statements taking into account the new EU MICA report requirements
  • Advising on local and global AML and KYC requirements, and ICO/IEO participation restrictions
  • Assisting with ongoing corporate secretary, advisory and IP requirements
  • Litigation and Regulatory advocacy and defense
  • Reputation Management 
  • Advising on the business and process implications of the EU MICA and OECD CARF reports, including the data privacy implications of the increased KYC/AML requirements.

Innovators

  • IP protection
  • Company formation and tax planning
  • Compliance with regulatory, licensing and other obligations
  • Jurisdictional choices for tax and regulatory optimization 
  • Security and privacy review
  • Litigation and Regulatory advocacy and defense
  • Reputation Management 

Promoters and investors

  • Developing tax effective ownership structures 
  • Advising on the taxation of trading gains and income from staking, forging, lending, airdrops and hard forks
  • Designing asset protection and estate planning structures 
  • Family law advice
  • Advising on information exchange and reporting requirements
  • Reviewing OTC brokerage and escrow arrangements 
  • Audit defense
  • Litigation, and regulatory advocacy and defense
  • Reputation management 

Asset managers

  • Developing cryptocurrency focused fund structures
  • Reviewing fund offering and subscription materials
  • Assisting with distribution and licensing requirements
  • Tax advice on trading gains and performance fees
  • Litigation and regulatory advocacy and defense
  • Reputation management

Exchanges

  • Corporate formation, employment advice, intercompany agreements, etc.
  • Tax structuring
  • Regulatory advice 
  • Website compliance issues
  • Litigation, and regulatory defense 
  • Reputation management
     

Crypto and digital assets: finding a friendly home

Financial regulators around the world have targeted crypto companies for regulatory violations and the environment in a number of major jurisdictions is growing increasingly hostile to digital asset businesses. We look at the alternatives in key jurisdictions.

LEARN MORE

Track record

Our team

Charles S. Kolstad

Charles S. Kolstad

Partner | New York

Charles S. Kolstad

Partner | New York

Private client and tax | Corporate

Christopher N. LaVigne

Christopher N. LaVigne

Partner | New York

Christopher N. LaVigne

Partner | New York

Litigation and arbitration

Daniel Tang

Daniel Tang

Partner | Hong Kong

Daniel Tang

Partner | Hong Kong

Corporate

Shaun Leong

Shaun Leong

Partner | Singapore

Shaun Leong

Partner | Singapore

Litigation and arbitration

Lauren Rapeport

Lauren Rapeport

Senior Associate | London

Lauren Rapeport

Senior Associate | London

Private client and tax

Richard Penfold

Richard Penfold

Partner | London

Richard Penfold

Partner | London

Intellectual property and technology

Roberto Bonomi

Roberto Bonomi

Partner | Milan

Roberto Bonomi

Partner | Milan

International corporate tax

Tatiana Menshenina

Tatiana Menshenina

Partner | London

Tatiana Menshenina

Partner | London

Litigation and arbitration

Insight

Typical clients and industries include

Business man looking down at notebook by office window

Founders

From advising on tax or global expansion, helping company founders realise their vision is an important aspect of our work. Find Out More
Business people in meeting

Public companies

Publicly traded companies face many challenges. As a full-service, truly international law firm we offer support with day-to-day operations as well as advice on exceptional situations. Find Out More

How else can we help?


We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses.  Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.

Find out more

Join the club


Sign up to our crypto and digital assets mailing list today and we'll keep you up to date with the latest news and information on this topic.

Sign up here

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch