Payments, Banking Regulation, and Consumer Financial Services

Established the Australian operations of a multinational peer-to-peer lender.

Advised an Australian commerce technology company and its US parent entity on the launch of its payments products and services in Australia.

Advised on a new prepaid card program for a Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2016 to accelerate the world’s transition to cryptocurrency. Enabled the client to launch in the United States and marked a huge step forward for the client in its goal of accelerating the world’s acceptance of cryptocurrency conversion.

Advised a major U.S. cryptocurrency wallet and exchange on compliance with state licensing laws and federal anti-money-laundering laws. Continued to provide updated advice as laws and regulations developed in this quickly changing area.

Advised a cryptocurrency platform in relation to product development and CFTC regulations.

Assisted a transnational payment facility provider with obtaining regulatory advice in multiple foreign jurisdictions.

Assisted a customer-centric digital-asset banking network with the launch of cryptocurrency exchanges in the European Union and United States; provided regulatory guidance in establishing a P2P payments platform, which was a major critical step in the growth of the client's business plan. Served as chief regulatory and contract counsel for the entire project.

Advised a leading commodity digitization and registry service with the launch of one of the world's first gold-backed stable coins with the gold held by a government-guaranteed custodian, The Perth Mint (wholly owned by the government of Western Australia).

Reviewed the token and business model for a crypto app and advised regarding compliance for a Singapore cryptocurrency exchange expanding to the United States.

Advised a large technology company in relation to insurance products as financial products.

Advised an Asian client as to the structuring and execution of a global e-commerce and sales payment processing solution. Provided strategic advice for structuring of e-commerce payment solutions that comply with applicable law and card network rules. Advised on negotiation of core processing agreements, service agreements, and consumer-facing terms and conditions.

Advised a U.S.-based company on the development of a mobile app to be used globally to serve the unbanked and underbanked by enabling the sending and receipt of funds. Provided strategic advice for the structuring of a mobile app payment solution under applicable law and regulatory guidance while meeting client’s design, functionality, and global objectives. Advised regarding strategic alliances, processing agreements, service provider contracts, end-user license agreement, terms of service, and all aspects of compliance with consumer protection laws. Provided guidance on privacy issues and cross-border implications with respect to the collection, transfer, and use of data.

Counseled a cryptocurrency exchange on wide variety of issues as it launched in the United States and internationally, including corporate structuring, tax, regulatory compliance and licensing, and anti-money laundering.

Provided contract drafting, negotiation, and due diligence advice on a developer of innovative GPS-enabled technology's acquisition of a technology payment platform designed to allow device manufacturers to add contactless payment capabilities to wearable devices. The acquisition provided a major enhancement to our client’s IoT payment offering. Served as lead counsel to purchaser in the acquisition and in undertaking due diligence of the target application.

Retained by a major global B2B payments company to complete a legal compliance survey of all of its products. Advised on compliance issues and remediation.

Advised an international remittance company regarding an acquisition and obtaining change-of-control approvals.

Planned and executed the U.S. expansion of a successful E.U. payments platform that provides an innovative over-the-top banking platform that consolidates multiple cards and accounts into one smart card with mobile app functionality. Customers can manage all spending across all accounts using the client's app. Launching U.S. operations was an essential and strategic part of the client's growth plans and we served as lead regulatory and contracting counsel.

Provided in-depth advice to a global European ticket sales company on U.S. AML compliance, U.S. money transmitter licensing, and E.U. PSD2 issues. 

Advised an innovative artificial intelligence company for the launch of its AI-based product for the inter-broker dealer industry, including advice concerning a token offering, seed funding, and additional commercial arrangements which involved tax and employment advice on a cross-border basis.

Represented an online payment service provider in relation to Australian financial services licensing and regulatory issues in connection with client's launch in Australia of payments products and services. The client is focused on the travel and leisure industry and the fast-growing numbers of inbound tourists from China.

Represented a global human resources software and services company on a new proposed payroll product with respect to payroll compliance issues as well as lending, licensing, and AML rules.

Represented and successfully negotiated settlements on behalf of multiple payments-related clients with respect to regulatory money transmitter licensing demands and enforcement orders from a range of states, including Connecticut, Texas, New York, Florida, California, Illinois, and Washington.

Served as payments regulatory counsel to a private equity firm in its investment in various fintechs, including payment processors and bill payment companies. Provided regulatory due diligence. Served as payments regulatory counsel to the target entities in an ongoing capacity.

Advised a fintech start-up company in its partnership with a sponsoring bank. Helped the client achieve its vision to bring financial services to families and provide app-based banking tools to Generations Z and Alpha. The digital financial ecosystem developed and offered by the client is intended to bridge the gap in the market that exists in meeting the needs of 13–18-year-olds who use mobile apps daily, all while teaching and advancing financial literacy.

Advised an online invoice financing marketplace on the launch of an online peer-to-peer financing platform that will allow Australian businesses to raise short-term finance by offering their trade receivables for sale, and Australian investors to obtain fixed-interest returns by providing trade-receivable financing.

Provided regulatory and compliance advice to a national bill payment solution provider. Reviewed the client’s payment models under state and federal money transmitter laws, focusing on the integration methods, including the transaction processing and settlement options utilized to assess whether the client’s payment models were properly identified as regulated or not. Advised on implementation of identified improvements and adjustments to the client’s payment models, which had a positive impact to the client’s bottom line and streamlined its overall regulatory compliance efforts.

Provided regulatory compliance and licensing advice to a P2P mobile payments platform with integrated cryptocurrency capabilities. Collaborated with client on various product features to ensure proper regulatory treatment and licensing compliance. Advised on anti-money-laundering obligations with respect to its payment services.

Represented a leading nextgen commerce event on a variety of legal matters. Also represented its founder on several additional ventures/exits, including the sale of a leading fintech conference focused on the payments industry; the sale of a mobile payments technology company; and the sale of a comprehensive suite of merchant services and support networks.

Served as regulatory counsel to a NFT issuer and marketplace.

Provided regulatory and contractual advice to a fintech payment platform on the launch of push payments and real-time instant payments strategy and implementation. This fintech has become a leader in providing extensive payment options for fast and efficient disbursement of payments to consumers. Helped the client navigate the complex regulatory issues involved. Served as chief regulatory counsel for its enhancements, and provided ongoing regulatory and contractual advice for many years.

Advised a major European payment platform regarding the launch of its payment product for online gaming in the United States. A critical part of the client’s expansion plans in the United States, the successful launch involved advice in multiple regulatory areas. Served as chief U.S. regulatory counsel for the program.

Represented a cryptocurrency exchange in relation to the Australian regulatory implications of its bitcoin exchange, including Australian AML laws, licensing requirements, and establishing a retail cryptocurrency fund.

Assisted a leading online gift card company in launching new mobile app products.

Represented an international provider of software solutions and money transmission services in expanding its international platform into the United States. 

Advised a payment system solution company that catered to the cannabis industry on product structure to ensure regulatory and licensing compliance.