Allende & Brea

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.