Cryptocurrency &Blockchain

Cryptocurrency &
Blockchain

Long recognized for its work guiding clients in various industries through their most significant regulatory and enforcement challenges, Paul, Weiss is at the forefront in helping financial institutions, fintech companies, investors, media and entertainment clients and technology companies navigate the new world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Our multi-disciplinary team helps clients capitalize on the business opportunities, identify the challenges and mitigate the emerging legal risks of digital assets.

Our Cryptocurrency & Blockchain group represents a diverse range of clients in this space, including cryptocurrency exchanges, developers of digital wallets and payment platforms, media studios and content producers, cryptocurrency investors and traders, and crypto-focused investment funds among others, giving us a comprehensive understanding of the sector. We help clients maximize business opportunities in the new technologies, while understanding evolving regulatory and compliance guardrails.

Our highly regarded, multi-disciplinary team includes lawyers with backgrounds in securities, broker-dealer regulation, commodities regulation, transactional intellectual property and technology, tax, company and fund formation, financing, token fundraising and alternative securities offering options. The team leverages a deep familiarity with the key enforcement and regulatory agencies in this space, including DOJ, SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, OFAC, IRS, FINRA, DHS, NY DFS and other state regulators.

Recognition

Law360: FinTech Group of the Year

  • Highly ranked in Legal 500 US Fintech category, with various partners recognized in related categories
  • Named Technology Group of the Year by Law360 
  • Several partners highly ranked by US. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" various industry-related practice areas

Recent Engagements

  • Authentic Brands Group (ABG) with advice relating to a cryptocurrency licensing agreement
  • Binance, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, in federal and state court lawsuits regarding the operation of its exchange
  • Digital Currency Group, a cryptocurrency investment platform, in the sale of its portfolio company CoinDesk, a cryptocurrency news site, to Bullish.
  • MARA Holdings, Bitcoin mining and digital asset technology company, in its three offerings of convertible senior notes totaling $2.15 billion
  • TeraWulf, an ESG-focused cryptocurrency mining company, in its business combination with IKONICS Corporation, a Minnesota-based imaging technology company, to form a publicly listed company
  • An Art Auction House in developing digital ledger technology for fine art provenance
  • Global Investment Management Firm in buying out two VC investors' stake in the general partner of a cryptocurrency-focused hedge fund
  • An International Asset Manager on the treatment of Bitcoin investments for U.S. federal income taxation purposes
  • A Major U.S. Technology Company in proactive regulatory advice regarding the development of new fintech and e-payment technologies and products
  • The founder and Board Chairman of Ripple, a real-time gross settlement system, currency exchange and remittance network, in SEC litigation asserting violations of federal securities law
  • A Potential Investor in a major cryptocurrency exchange, including review and analysis of U.S. regulatory issues
  • Virtual Currency Exchanges in their responses to various subpoenas and investigation requests by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, IRS, FBI, DHS and state agencies. Our representation of clients in these matters includes assessment of risk associated with particular virtual currency transactions, customers and jurisdictions
  • Various Swap Counterparties and Investors in the negotiation of derivatives trading documentation, execution agreements and custody arrangements for crypto assets