FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
FinTech Guide 2025 : USA - Nationwide
Band 1
Contact number
213 485 1234Chambers Review
Latham & Watkins is one of the premier firms in FinTech with significant strength in capital markets, FinTech M&A, financial services regulation, payments law and cryptocurrency matters. The firm advises financial institutions, crypto exchanges and lending platforms on regulatory, structuring and transactional matters.
Work Highlights
- Latham & Watkins advised Coinbase on the restructuring of their strategic and commercial relationship with Circle regarding the stablecoin USDC.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Latham has a deep bench of people who are very knowledgeable and they have both a start-up practice and a big regulatory practice."
"The Latham team has been critical to our success. I really respect their opinions and ability to understand where the regulations are headed and provide really practical guidance."
"They have been instrumental and are our go-to. We were able to go into negotiations with authority, which is really helpful."
"Latham has a very top-notch brand. The lawyers don't waste time, and each one is an expert in their field."
"It's one of the best consortiums of lawyers in the country. The breadth and depth of expertise and the quality of the lawyers are consistent across all disciplines."
"Latham has a deep bench of people who are very knowledgeable and they have both a start-up practice and a big regulatory practice."
"The Latham team has been critical to our success. I really respect their opinions and ability to understand where the regulations are headed and provide really practical guidance."
"They have been instrumental and are our go-to. We were able to go into negotiations with authority, which is really helpful."
"Latham has a very top-notch brand. The lawyers don't waste time, and each one is an expert in their field."
"It's one of the best consortiums of lawyers in the country. The breadth and depth of expertise and the quality of the lawyers are consistent across all disciplines."
Notable Practitioners
Stephen Wink is co-chair of the firm's digital assets and Web3 practice. He has considerable knowledge in cryptocurrency matters and financial regulatory work. Wink also advises on regulatory and intellectual property matters concerning NFT platforms.
"Steve is an awesome partner; he's practical and pragmatic. His advice is actionable. He's knowledgeable about the crypto industry and very knowledgeable on the securities side especially."
"Stephen has a deep knowledge of this area; what makes him different is he has very good common sense and can communicate in a way that's understandable to laypeople."
"Stephen Wink really understands the technology and the regulatory picture. He's a creative thinker and takes a pragmatic view."
"Steve offers great client service, He is proactive, very keyed into regulatory developments in his area, and very reliable when we need an opinion. He's a good practical-minded attorney."
Barrie VanBrackle advises payments platforms and cryptocurrency companies on FinTech transactions and regulatory matters.
"Barrie is amazing, extremely business-focused, works really fast, and she really knows her field."
"She's been instrumental from a legal standpoint. She's involved in pretty much all our contracts; very responsive. It's nice having her on our side of the table, and she has a very good reputation."
"Barrie has a very deep knowledge of payments and has good judgement on risk."
Yvette Valdez is a partner in the firm's New York office and co-chairs its global digital assets and Web3 practice. Valdez acts for leading crypto clients on regulatory compliance and structuring matters and has particular expertise in crypto derivatives matters.
"Yvette Valdez is unique in her knowledge of the CFTC matters for which she's an expert and she also has a strong crypto background."
"Yvette is very competent and knowledgeable."
"Yvette is an excellent lawyer who really understands technology and emerging regulatory issues."
Ranked Individuals at
Latham & Watkins LLP
USA - Nationwide