Ellex recently strengthened its fintech team by recruiting senior associates Renatas Makelis and Eglė Neverbickienė from Lithuanian fintech company Paysera and TGS Baltic respectively. In other developments, Julija Šlekonytė and Neringa Mickevičiūtė made associate partners. The firm advises clients on the implementation of IT solutions, anti-money laundering regulatory and procedural matters, payments-related issues and it is also at the forefront of advice on EU legislative initiatives. The specialist practice is led by experienced banking partners Ieva Dosinaite and Giedrius Stasevicius.
Fintech in Lithuania
Ellex
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Julija Šlekonytė; Neringa Mickevičiūtė; Renatas Makelis; Gytė Maleckaitė; Domantas Gudonis; Eglė Radvilaitė
Testimonials
‘Speed, network and pulse of the industry knowledge. They are ahead of everyone.’
‘Ieva Dosinaite – sharp-minded, straightforward, knows how to handle sensitive situations. Neringa Mickeviciute – drive and passionate knowledge of AML/CTF areas. Gyte Maleckaite – speed of work and knowledge of corporate governance.’
‘It’s unique as Ellex is Top1 law firm with extensive experience and great network. A strong relationship with key market stakeholders is key to success – Ellex have that.’
‘Their extensive knowledge and experience stand out as well as professionalism. Quick to react, accurate to respond.’
‘The team is very pragmatic and knowledgeable.’
‘Strong knowledge of industry and environment in Lithuania and Europe. Very bright and helpful staff. Ability to go the extra mile.’
‘Very smart, engaging and innovative.’
‘Broad coverage of expertise and skills.’
Key clients
Curve UAB
Curve OS Ltd.
ConnectPay UAB
WITTY GLOBAL UAB
nanopay Corporation
SONECT Europe UAB
ConsciousGrowth GmbH
Nordecum UAB
Finora kreditas UAB
Nikulipe UAB
Investment Evolution UAB
PayRay UAB
Work highlights
- Advised Curve on obtaining an electronic money institution licence in Lithuania and the relocation of its European activities from Great Britain to Lithuania.
- Provides legal assistance to ConnectPay on all compliance and commercial matters.
- Provides legal assistance to Sonect Europe with regulatory matters.
Sorainen
Sorainen is heavily involved in the fintech market, with it advising a number of well-established players, and also assisting emerging entities through its collaboration Startup Wise Guys, an accelerator programme for local start-ups. The team is led by Tomas Kontautas and Augustas Klezys, with Kontautas predominantly focusing on regulatory compliance and Klezys focusing on licensing work. Other key names include counsel Lina Ragainytė-Mezenė, who has expertise in consumer lending. Another name to note is senior associate Auksė Trapnauskaitė, who recently joined from the Bank of Lithuania and specialises in anti-money laundering.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘We are pleased to be assisted by Sorainen Lithuania. Deep field knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects of consumer lending in local market creates great value. Lina Ragainytė-Mezelė has very deep knowledge of the Lithuanian financial market, particularly, consumer lending.’
‘The Sorainen team was responsive and able to use their strong connections with the Lithuanian regulator to push for a great result for the client.’
Key clients
Nuvei Technologies Corporation
Bittiq B.V.
Smile Money Limited
Lightnet Pte Ltd
Verse Payments Lithuania UAB
Square Inc.
Sezzle Lithuania UAB
CBI Money UAB
Work highlights
- Advised Nuvei Technologies on acquiring Simplex, afintech startup providing fiat infrastructure to the cryptocurrency industry.
- Advised Bittiq on launching its business across Europe.
- Advised Verse Payments Lithuania on all issues related to its indirect acquisition by Square.
TGS Baltic
TGS Baltic's experienced banking team is highly active in fintech matters, particularly in relation to e-money, P2P lending, crowdfunding and cryptocurrency. The team advises both local and international clients, including Paysera and Revolut. Žygimantas Stankevičius, who was formerly head of legal at Luminor Bank, leads the practice and is well-versed in financial services regulations. In 2021, Aistė Patašiūtė and Sebastian Okinczyc joined from SEB bankas and Danske Bank respectively.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Rasa Blinsturbienė; Aistė Patašiūtė; Sebastian Okinczyc; Karolina Lapinskaitė
Testimonials
‘Strong network of experts able to offer expertise in a wide range of subjects.’
‘TGS Baltic is one of the best law firms in Lithuania in every practice area they are serving. I appreciate their services and client handling. They are always responsive, helpful and resourceful in every case and matter of law.’
‘Partner availability and competence, efficiency, attentiveness to the needs of the client.’
‘Constructiveness, competence, quick answers.’
Key clients
Revolut
ArcaPay
Paysera LT
Guru Pay
PAY88
Saldo Finance
European Merchant Bank
Sollo
OTB Ventures
The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania
The Lithuanian post
Mobile Pay
FinPro
Work highlights
- Advised the Lithuanian branch of Revolut on regulatory and commercial matters.
- Advised Paysera LT on the 370,000 euros fine imposed by the Bank of Lithuania.
- Advised the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania on the development of a new generation payment platform for operating a single treasury account.
WALLESS
WALLESS is highly skilled in assisting fintech companies with licensing and e-licensing matters, corporate transactions and regulatory compliance. The firm has been particularly advising fintech companies on relocating from the UK to Lithuania because of Brexit. In addition, other recent work included assisting credit unions with their conversions into specialised banks. Gediminas Reciunas 
co-heads the team with Joana Baublytė-Kulvietė, who is a member of the Fintech Lithuania Group and handles regulatory compliance and transactions. Andrius Ivanauskas was a new arrival in April 2022.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Laurynas Narvydas; Lina Radaviciene; Simona Kisunaite; Akvile Marozaite; Andrius Ivanauskas
Key clients
Square
SumUp
RIA Financial Services
Simplex
Nayax
Railsbank / Payrnet
PayRay
DiPocket
BLender
Stanhope Financial
Work highlights
- Advised Simplex, a payment solution provider to the cryptocurrency industry, in an acquisition transaction with Nuvei, a Canadian-based payment technology company.
- Advised Trust Pay on obtaining by its Lithuanian subsidiary Crius LT a specialized banking licence from the Bank of Lithuania and the European Central Bank.
- Advised RIA Financial Services Ltd in setting up its payments business in Lithuania.
Cobalt
Cobalt acts for both local and international fintech players on licensing and regulatory compliance matters, as well as capital raising rounds. It also advises foreign fintech companies on entering the market in Lithuania, as well as assisting Lithuanian companies with expanding across Europe. Akvilė Bosaitė and Eva Suduiko jointly lead the team.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Aurelija Balčiūnė; Lina Aleknaitė-van der Molen; Greta Kvedaravičienė; Justina Aužbikavičienė
Key clients
PayPal
Sezzle
KEVIN EU, UAB
ValorPay, UAB
TeslaPay, UAB
Wittix, UAB
Wallter, UAB
Paydoo Payments, UAB
GlobalNetInt
B4Payment GmbH (SEPAexpress)
Work highlights
- Advised a US-based “buy now, pay later” unicorn Sezzle Inc. on acquiring an electronic money institution (EMI) licence in Lithuania.
- Advised PayPal on Lithuanian law requirements applicable to provision of payment services in Lithuania.
- Advised Kevin EU, UAB, a payment initiation FinTech company and standard payment services disruptor, in a European roll-out of its activities as well as raising seed round investment from venture funds.
ECOVIS ProventusLaw
ECOVIS ProventusLaw advises a range of clients within this spacee including electric money, consumer credit and crowdfunding companies, with additional strengths in handling blockchain and crytocurrency matters. Inga Karulaitytė-Kvainauskienė leads the practice and is skilled in licening and transactional support. Loreta Andziulytė , whose background is in TMT and data protection, is also heavily involved in this field.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Digital Virgo Payment, UAB
Elektroninių mokėjimų agentūra, UAB
BTC CORPORATION HOLDINGS PTY LTD (Banxa Holdings Inc.)
B4B payments
Paytend Europe, UAB
Binance, UAB
SONECT Europe, UAB
Agavis, UAB
Okeo payments
NIUM EU
Watt & Volt S.A.
Alternative Payments, UAB
Monavate, UAB
Walletto, UAB
Fintech Hub LT association
Korala Associates Limited (KAL)
Sezzle Lithuania, UAB
ZEN.COM, UAB
ZELF
Degica Co. Ltd.
Work highlights
- Assisted Digital Virgo with creating and implementing a unique business model for passporting the electronic money institution license via a telecommunication operator across several jurisdictions.
- Advised SONECT Europe on its incorporation in Lithuania, implementing a novel business model and securing all the regulatory permissions (including the electronic money institution (EMI) license) to allow private clients of various banks to withdraw cash directly from their accounts without using ATM.
- Assisted Banxa Holdings with the incorporation of LT Internet Ventures and associated regulatory compliance pertaining to its planned crypto-related business activities.
GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners
GLIMSTEDT Bernotas & Partners, which acts for clients such as Mastercard and Stripe, draws upon the expertise of practitioners with specialisms in banking and IT to assist with fintech issues. Since research concluded Andrius Ivanauskas left the firm.
Testimonials
‘They are very strong is certain areas (such as competition law), so they are the go-to firm for fintech / financial sector work where competition issues are anticipated.’
Key clients
Mastercard
Stripe
Craftsoft
Transcendent Group
LcX Opportunity Fund by Litcapital
Acoustic
Centerbridge Partners
Digital Care
Eiffel Investment Group
Discontract YesIron Wolf Capital
Šeili
Work highlights
- Advised Mastercard on variety of matters related to the regulation of PSD2 in Baltics.
- Advised Transcendent Group on its service agreements in relation to outsourcing of financial regulated services.
- Advised Stripe on AML compliance in the Baltics.
Law Firm TESET
Law Firm TESET, which provides 'efficient and comprehensive support', is highly skilled in alternative financing technology such as peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding platforms. Insurtech and AML are other areas of interest. Tomas Talutis leads the team and focuses on the aforementioned areas.
Practice head(s):
Testimonials
‘The work process with this team is easy because, as you’re working with experts, there are no difficulties. You can feel safe working with this team because you are working with professionals and you can trust them.’
‘We are truly happy to partner with Teset, because of their experience in the fintech field, attitude, and since they are very well connected here in our part of the world.’
Key clients
Fjord Bank AB
Ooniq NoHappenz UAB
Finbro UAB
Pyrros Lithuania UAB
Ubitela UAB
8 Stars UAB
Synergy Finance UAB
Work highlights
- Advised letsinvest.eu on a financing deal.
- Advised Happenz, UAB on establishment and activity of the P2P insurance platform in Lithuania.
- Advised Pyrros Lithuania, UAB on AML issues.