Led from Hong Kong by the ‘very client-focused’ Kristi Swartz and also able to leverage significant international resources throughout APAC, the Middle East, Europe and the US, DLA Piper has developed a very strong reputation for local and global stakeholders within the fintech sector. In this context, the ’solutions-driven’ Swartz has particular expertise within the virtual assets space, including for global digital assets exchanges on regulatory compliance/licensing advice relating to Hong Kong and the broader APAC and UAE region.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They provide pragmatic and flexible advice.'
- 'They are particularly strong in advising on virtual asset regulation, licensing regimes, and compliance matters across multiple jurisdictions, including Hong Kong and the UAE. What makes this practice unique is their ability to act as a strategic partner, not just legal counsel.'
- 'They are proactive, responsive, and fully attuned to both regulatory developments and market dynamics. Their advice is always clear, tailored, and business-enabling.'
- 'The team combines deep technical expertise with a practical, commercial mindset—an essential combination in a fast-evolving and often uncertain regulatory landscape.'
- 'They have strong subject matter expertise which they can apply to the local market.'
- 'Kristi Swartz has exceptional domain expertise, is very client-focused and solutions driven, and always very proactive, as well as transparent.'
- 'Kristi Swartz stands out as one of the most knowledgeable and practical fintech regulatory lawyers in the region. She has deep expertise in Hong Kong SFC matters and is especially skilled in advising on virtual asset service provider (VASP) licensing and broader crypto compliance.'
Key clients
- Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
- SoFi Securities (Hong Kong) Limited / SoFi Holdings (Hong Kong) Ltd
- NewBX Limited
- PacBridge Capital Partners (HK) Limited
Work highlights
Advising VARA on the continued enhancement of its best-in-class virtual assets regulatory framework.
Advising a global digital assets exchange on regulatory compliance requirements in various jurisdictions in relation to its virtual asset related services.
Acting as external corporate counsel for a Sofi Securities Holdings on its commercial strategies and regulatory compliance matters in the APAC.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Kristi Swartz