The ‘unrivalled, forward-thinking and innovative’ team at Allende & Brea helps register nascent fintech clients as virtual assets service providers and accountable AML entities with the Argentine Financial Information Unit. The firm provides further regulatory counsel on consumer data protection and the Central Bank’s foreign exchange controls, with digital wallet providers in particular frequently seeking this advice when incorporating new features, such as non-fungible tokens, closed-loop transactions, peer-to-peer exchanges and credit card facilities into their products. The firm recently showcased its ’unmatched’ expertise when it was selected by the International Bar Association to produce a comparative fintech guide on payment service providers, open banking, blockchains and crypto-currency regulations, among other matters. The lawyers also advise on defence and prosecutorial strategies during contentious matters, such as anticompetitive complaints filed before the Argentine Antitrust Authority. The practice is steered by fintech and payment lawyer Carlos Maria Melhem; banking and finance practitioner Jorge Mayorga; and the ‘stellar’ IP, internet, and data protection specialist, Pablo Palazzi. The partners are aided by senior fintech and IP associate Mercedes Elaskar, and banking and fintech associate Esteban Gómez Moretto. Semi-senior associates Luciana González and Luciano Gimenez joined the team in 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Allende & Brea is unmatched in Argentina in the Fintech arena. An unrivalled forward-thinking and innovative team always at the top of their game.'
'Pablo Palazzi is a key member of this stellar practice. His deserved reputation as an IP, tech law and privacy star makes him ideally suited to provide the best counsel in Fintech.'
'Allende & Brea presents a solid and versatile team of lawyers, always available for consultation and open to understanding and analysing any new line of business.'
'An excellent level of training, knowledge, and ability to adapt (Jorge Mayora).
'Partners: Carlos Melhem and Jorge Mayora.'
- 'They stand out for their availability at all times, proactivity and knowledge, providing advice from both a legal and economic market perspective.’
Key clients
- <p>AP Capital Investment</p>
- <p>Amazon Services.com and Amazon Web Services</p>
- <p>Astropay (AP Global Corporation)</p>
- <p>Banco BBVA Argentina</p>
- <p>Banco Industrial</p>
- <p>Banco Patagonia</p>
- <p>Banco Santander Argentina</p>
- <p>Bitget</p>
- <p>BitPay</p>
- <p>Bitso</p>
- <p>Coinbase</p>
- <p>Crypto.com</p>
Work highlights
Representing Play Digital (MODO) in relation to a complaint filed against Mercado Libre before the Argentine Antitrust Authority for anticompetitive conduct.
Advising OKX, Crypto.com, Bitget, Nuvo App and Excellent Pay, among others, on their registration process as Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPs) in Argentina.
Advising Google on the launch of Google Pay in Argentina, especially on the applicable financial payment system, and data privacy regulations.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Carlos María Melhem; Pablo Palazzi; Jorge Mayora
Other key lawyers
Mercedes Elaskar; Esteban Gómez Moretto; Luciana González; Luciano Gimenez