FAQs

This sub-category covers the creation and trading of digital assets (e.g. NFTs, stablecoins); the design and creation of digital asset derivative products and ETFs; the creation, structuring and implementation of DLT platforms; the tokenisation of real world assets and the issuance of tokenised products; the creation, expansion and collapse of cryptocurrency exchange platforms; as well as digital assets trading and custody license application to financial regulators. Transactional matters relating to blockchain and crypto assets such as financings, mergers & acquisitions, and fund formations are covered in the Corporate, Securities and Financing sub-category, where available. Disputes and government investigations relating to digital assets are covered in the Crypto-Asset Disputes category, where available.

Lawyers in this sub-category advise FinTech companies and financial institutions on   FinTech-related privacy and data protection compliance (e.g. GDPR), financial privacy, consumer protection, data breaches, ransomware attacks and other significant data, privacy and cyber security incidents, as well as class action lawsuits arising from these incidents. Contentious matters relating to stolen digital assets are covered in the Crypto-Asset Disputes category, where available.

FinTech corporate lawyers guide FinTech startups, established FinTech businesses, PE and VC investors and financial services clients through strategic partnerships, joint ventures, mergers & acquisitions, funding rounds, securitisation, debt financings, and IPOs.

This sub-category covers the creation and implementation of digital payments systems, including payments-as-a-service offerings; payment services license applications (e.g. Money Transmission License in the US and the Payment Institution Authorisation in the UK/EU); the creation of digital loyalty and rewards programmes; the launch and operation of lending products such as credit cards and buy-now-pay-later services; the implementation and review of internal AML and KYC frameworks. Transactional matters relating to payments and lending providers such as financing, mergers & acquisitions, and fund formation are covered under the Corporate, Securities and Financing sub-category, where available.

This category covers contentious work involving digital assets (e.g. cryptocurrencies and NFTs) and crypto companies, including government inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions, class action lawsuits, white-collar criminal defence, asset recovery in relation to crypto frauds and stolen crypto-assets, commercial litigation and insolvency litigation arising from the collapse of crypto companies. Regulatory advisory work in relation to blockchain and crypto business is covered under the Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies sub-category, where available.

This category features management and strategy consultants who advise FinTechs, financial institutions and FinTech investors on digital transformation, business and innovation strategies, financial regulations, compliance, risk management and cybersecurity matters. Law firms are not eligible to participate in this category.

This category features communications experts working with FinTech and financial services clients on brand strategy, media training, crisis communications, marketing campaigns, strategic messaging and public relations. Law firms are not eligible to participate in this category.