Band 2
Provided by Kelly Fenech
Dr Fenech’s practice focuses on financial services regulation, FinTech, and emerging technologies, with particular expertise in investment services, crypto-assets, and payment institutions. He advises clients on regulatory compliance, licensing, governance, and complex commercial matters across the full lifecycle of regulated businesses.
He is particularly recognised for his work in FinTech product structuring and regulatory advisory, providing legal opinions, supporting crypto-asset offerings, and assisting clients in obtaining financial services licences, including authorisations for investment firms, payment institutions, e-money institutions, FX and derivatives brokers, and insurance-related entities.
Dr Fenech regularly advises on cross-border regulatory frameworks and EU financial services legislation, including MiCA, MiFID II, PSD2, EMD, DORA, GDPR, and the 5th AMLD, as well as applicable Maltese regulatory requirements. His practice also encompasses company law, governance, and complex contractual arrangements.
Dr Kelly Fenech is an advocate admitted to the Maltese Bar and a recognised expert in financial services and FinTech regulation. Prior to founding GKF Legal, he worked in-house with various MFSA-licensed entities, advising on regulatory compliance, governance, and operational matters from within regulated businesses. He also practised at top-tier law firms in Malta, where he advised local and international clients on financial services, regulatory, and commercial law matters.
In founding GKF Legal, Dr Fenech established a Malta-based boutique law firm specialising in regulatory and commercial law for businesses operating at the intersection of law and technology. The firm works exclusively with innovative, regulated industries, particularly FinTech, gaming, and emerging technology, advising payment institutions, crypto-asset service providers (CASPs), investment firms, FX and derivatives brokers, and gaming operators throughout their lifecycle — from structuring and licensing to ongoing regulatory compliance and commercial operations.
Dr Fenech was admitted to the Bar in 2011 and holds a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta, as well as a Master’s degree in the Science of Finance from Trinity College, University of Dublin (a CFA Programme Partner). He is a member of the Malta Chamber of Advocates.
He has been approved by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU) to serve as a Risk Officer, Compliance Officer, Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), and Director for regulated financial services and crypto-asset firms, and currently holds key leadership and control-function roles within several licensed entities.
A regular speaker at international FinTech conferences, Dr Fenech is frequently invited to comment on regulatory developments in payments, foreign exchange, and crypto-assets. He has been ranked in the Chambers and Partners FinTech Guide for six consecutive years, achieving Band 2 recognition in 2025.
He is a member of the Malta Chamber of Advocates, FinanceMalta, and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP).
Univeristy of Malta
Doctorate of Laws
2003 - 2009
University of Dublin, Trinity College
MSc Finance
2013 - 2014
Provided by Chambers
Kelly Fenech of GKF Legal has a focus on FinTech and distributed ledger technology, as well as payment services. He helps clients obtain licences to operate as crypto asset service providers, advises on MiFID compliance and regularly writes on developments in the industry.
Provided by Chambers
Kelly Fenech is a real problem-solver and offers work arounds when needed.
Kelly Fenech is very professional and is able to advise us on our issues quickly and efficiently.
Kelly Fenech is a real problem-solver and offers work arounds when needed.
Kelly Fenech is very professional and is able to advise us on our issues quickly and efficiently.
Provided by GKF Legal
Financial Services
Leisure and Hospitality
Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT)