Business

FinTech

who should you talk to?

Understanding FinTech.

The technology market is fast paced, dynamic, and constantly innovating. In recent years disruptive technology entrants have been making their mark on the financial services sector, creating ground-breaking products and services which have unsettled the established order and changed the course of the industry in ways that were previously unthought of. Such innovation requires fresh thinking, tenacity, an ability to move quickly, and advisers that understand and believe in the idea. Financial tech (FinTech) businesses need legal advisers that work alongside them as partners.

We boast a flourishing FinTech practice acting across the breadth of business stages from start-up, through rapid growth and to exit. Working with entrepreneurs, SMEs, investors and venture capitalists, we understand the challenges facing technology businesses, and offer a uniquely tailored service.

Our practice advises a diverse client base including challenger banks, peer-to-peer e-payment vehicles, Forex companies and those utilising Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

We have particular expertise advising on corporate, commercial, data protection, and intellectual property issues and in resolving disputes. We regularly advise companies and projects looking to raise funds via Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Security Token Offerings (STOs) in regards to UK law and FCA regulation and the contractual relationship between those offering the token and the token holder.

We understand that, in the FinTech market, simple is better. We keep our approach light touch, focusing only on what needs to be done to secure the best result as quickly as possible, freeing you up to focus on the progression of your business.

Fintech explainer guide #1

Keeping up with Fintech - What is E-Money?

Financial Technology has disrupted traditional banking and the pace of change is great. Keeping up with new developments is not an easy task. This guide explains what is meant by ‘E-Money’, who issues it and how it is used.

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Fintech explainer guide #2

Keeping up with Fintech - Banks vs EMIs

This guide explains the differences between a bank and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), and the methods used to safeguard funds with the Electronic Money Regulations (EMR).

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Fintech explainer guide #3

Keeping up with Fintech - Electronic Money Agents and Distributors

Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) may outsource some of their operational functions. This explainer guide examines the differences between a bank and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI), and the methods used to safeguard funds with the Electronic Money Regulations (EMR).

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Tax & Estate Planning: Decrypting a digital world

Understanding how cryptoassets work, how they will be taxed and how they will pass from generation to generation has never been more important as individuals branch out into these new investments. In this guide we provide an overview of cryptoassets, their legal treatment in the UK, and how they should be considered in tax and estate planning.

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Robin Henry

Partner - Head of Dispute Resolution Services

Talk to Robin about Banking & financial disputes & Commercial disputes & Corporate recovery, restructuring & insolvency

Crypto currency account dispute

We are currently acting for a client who entered into a trade on a cryptocurrency exchange, making a large windfall profit. The dispute is with the exchange following its freezing of the account alleging that the cryptocurrency wallet had been hacked.

Nigel Brahams

Partner

Talk to Nigel about Corporate & Financial regulatory & Private equity

Advising a commodity derivatives platform

We advised a commodity derivatives platform, on the regulatory and commercial aspects of managing its platform. In particular we provided perimeter regulatory guidance as to whether the platform could be undertaking regulated activities in various scenarios, in order to conduct brokerage of potentially exempt products. We also had to consider whether its activities could be interpreted as operating a trading venue.

Nigel Brahams

Partner

Talk to Nigel about Corporate & Financial regulatory & Private equity

Funding for cross-channel information platform

We advised on the ‘Series A’ funding of a company operating a cross channel platform for secure authentication and information exchange for the banking, government, healthcare, e-commerce sectors.

Nigel Brahams

Partner

Talk to Nigel about Corporate & Financial regulatory & Private equity

Crypto currency trading platform

We advised a central Europe-based client building a platform offering access to artificial-intelligence powered crypto currency trading tools, on UK regulation regarding ICOs and token sales.

Nigel Brahams

Partner

Talk to Nigel about Corporate & Financial regulatory & Private equity

ICO for Stablecoin project

We advised a Japanese based client on the legal and regulatory aspects in regards to raising funds via an initial coin offering (ICO) for its stablecoin project.

Nigel Brahams

Partner

Talk to Nigel about Corporate & Financial regulatory & Private equity

ICO corporate and regulatory advice

We advised a leading provider of regulatory services in the crypto space on a range of corporate and regulatory matters, including the regulatory impact of selling initial coin offerings (ICOs) into the UK market, various block trades in crypto currencies, and assorted corporate structure matters, including debt, ICO and equity financing.

Charles Braithwaite

Partner

Talk to Charles about Commercial & Data protection & Intellectual property

Commercial advice to start-up bank

We advise a leading start-up online bank on an on-going basis on multiple commercial matters including terms and conditions, services agreements, influencer agreements and others.

Crypto currency account dispute

Robin Henry

Advising a commodity derivatives platform

Nigel Brahams

Funding for cross-channel information platform

Nigel Brahams

Crypto currency trading platform

We advised a central Europe-based client building a platform offering access to artificial-intelligence powered crypto currency trading tools, on UK regulation regarding ICOs and token sales.

Nigel Brahams

ICO for Stablecoin project

We advised a Japanese based client on the legal and regulatory aspects in regards to raising funds via an initial coin offering (ICO) for its stablecoin project.

Nigel Brahams

ICO corporate and regulatory advice

Nigel Brahams

Commercial advice to start-up bank

We advise a leading start-up online bank on an on-going basis on multiple commercial matters including terms and conditions, services agreements, influencer agreements and others.