Department profile
Simont Braun

FinTech Legal

FinTech Guide 2026 : Belgium

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Simont Braun

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About

Provided by Simont Braun

Simont Braun is the reference Fintech law firm in Belgium. Simont Braun's Digital Finance Team combines high expertise and practical experience in financial services, insurance, tech and data protection in supporting innovative domestic and international projects. The team is deeply integrated into the Belgian Financial Services & FinTech ecosystems and has regular interactions with the regulators. They have a particular focus on assisting foreign players entering the Belgian market.

Work samples

  • Providing expert legal assistance to several international neo-banks arriving and/or scaling on the Belgian market;
  • Advising payment services & e-money providers on regulatory matters, such as licence applications, product marketing, assistance with audits and post audit remediation and AML/KYC client onboarding procedures;
  • Setting up the first digital ID product in Belgium used as a KYC & authentication solution in the public and financial sector;
  • Assisting companies active in the crypto-currency and innovative consumer credit space with navigating the rapidly changing regulatory environment;
  • Supporting technical service providers with the roll-out of their products and contractual negotiations with financial institution clients;
  • Defending our clients in complex litigation, as well as in sanction procedures initiated by supervisors and administrative authorities;
  • Assisting in securing the first new Belgian banking licence in decades.

Industries (8)

  • Cloud outsourcing
  • Payment Services
  • Digital bank
  • Virtual currencies
  • Micro savings
  • Alternative lending
  • RegTech & InsurTech
  • Automated investment

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

FinTech Legal - Belgium

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Simont Braun regularly assists payment companies and e-money institutions with licence applications. Simont Braun's digital finance team includes lawyers from banking and finance, IP/IT and data protection, and assists domestic and international clients with cutting-edge legal matters.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Simont Braun advised Bitvavo, a crypto exchange, on regulatory compliance matters in relation to the MiCA regulations.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The Simont Braun team is pragmatic, commercial and solution-oriented.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

  • The Simont Braun team is pragmatic, flexible and subject matter experts.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

  • Simont Braun is innovative in their approach to problem-solving and have excellent expertise covering a wide area of subjects.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Joan Carette
    Joan Carette

    Joan Carette

    Joan Carette specialises in banking and finance, with a sector focus on payments, e-money and AML matters. Carette previously worked in the prudential supervision department at the CBFA.

    • Joan Carette is attentive and responsive to client needs. She does not hesitate to work as part of a team and is capable of providing high-quality advice, even on complex subjects.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

    • Joan Carette is very knowledgeable, client-focused and very commercial in her advice.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

    • Joan Carette has a very strong practice and a broad set of FinTech clients.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
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  • Philippe De Prez
    Philippe De Prez

    Philippe De Prez

    Philippe de Prez is a financial regulatory lawyer and a founding member of Simont Braun's digital finance team. De Prez advises foreign FinTech companies who wish to enter the Belgian market, including financial institutions, investment firms, payment service providers and e-money issuers.

    • Philippe de Prez is an experienced partner who has deep knowledge of local regulations and works in partnership with his clients.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

    • It is a pleasure to work with Philippe. His extensive knowledge of the banking sector enables him to quickly grasp issues and understand client needs. He has a pragmatic and effective approach.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
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  • Thomas Derval
    Thomas Derval

    Thomas Derval

    Thomas Derval was promoted to partner at Simont Braun in January 2025. He holds expertise on financial regulations and is often seen advising clients on their financial product roll-outs within Belgium.

    • Thomas Derval has an astute understanding of the FinTech regulatory environment in Belgium and knows how the regulators think and how to best interact with them.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

    • Thomas Derval has excellent regulatory knowledge and brings a balanced approach to matters.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
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Ranked Individuals at Simont Braun (3)

Belgium

Members

Provided by Simont Braun

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