Adam Wolstenholme > Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP > Dubai, United Arab Emirates > Lawyer Profile

Adam Wolstenholme

+971 4 709 6648 [email protected] View profile

Position

Adam specialises in advising clients on complex international, cross-border and sensitive areas of law, with a particular emphasis on financial services regulatory matters. His expertise spans both TradFi and DeFi, and he acts in both non-contentious and contentious instructions. He has gained a strong background in the local and regional framework and practicalities that are vital to understanding the international and domestic sensitivities in the Middle East. He provides current and pragmatic advice on the region’s nascent regulations.

His client base includes a number of the largest international financial institutions, global asset managers and hedge funds, virtual asset service providers, brokerage entities and payment providers. Consequently, he has extensive experience in liaising with the region’s financial regulators and securities exchanges, including on advising on regulations issued by the UAE Central Bank, the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority/Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the Saudi Capital Markets Authority (Saudi CMA).

Adam possesses particular experience advising on crypto regulatory frameworks across the GCC, and has advised some of the world’s largest crypto market participants. Striving to stay at the forefront of the constantly emerging digital assets industry, he is trusted to advise on the set up of crypto exchanges, clearing houses, custodians, broker-dealers, managers and funds, as well as a broad range of crypto-related products, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, utility tokens, NFTs, crypto derivatives and SAFTs.

Prior to working in the Middle East, he was a barrister in London where his practice entailed both defence and prosecution work, with a special emphasis on financial crime and regulatory matters, including advisory and representation instructions on the proceeds of crime, money laundering, bribery and extradition. During his work at the self-employed bar, he was also seconded to the Financial Conduct Authority in London, whereby he was able to amass practical experience of complex regulatory investigations.