Norton Rose Fulbright advises clients across the fintech ecosystem on transactions, investments, joint ventures, and regulatory matters. The group operates within a 300-strong global fintech group, supporting clients in areas including payments, blockchain, AI, regtech, cryptoassets, digital finance, and embedded finance. Recent matters include advising a major bank on launching a joint venture with a B2B unicorn for embedded finance solutions, a consortium of investment firms on an offer for a scalable payments platform developer, and an investment bank on its role in a multi-billion-pound acquisition of a tech-enabled payments solutions provider. As global head of the fintech practice, Sean Murphy advises cutting-edge clients across the entire fintech spectrum, from payments and blockchain to regtech and cryptocurrencies. Often advising start-ups and scale-ups alongside banks and asset managers, his recent work includes advising a leading regtech firm on the completion of a multi-million pound investment from a leading growth equity firm. Victoria Birch, co-head of the global payments practice, advises governments and leading global financial institutions alike. Nicholas Berry leads the firm’s insurtech practice, advising on transactions in digital assets and regtech innovation. Bayo Odubeko focuses his expertise on emerging markets, frequently advising clients on some of the largest venture capital deals in Africa.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team were excellent, they had in-depth knowledge of the market and type of deal. They were able to flex as the scope and complexity of the transaction increased. Their ability to collaborate with our wider deal team was fantastic. I was never in doubt that all advisers were aligned and pulling in the same direction.’
‘Sophie O'Connor was exceptional. She was unflappable, tenacious, assertive but compassionate, and really understood how to help us navigate the complexities and stress of the transaction. As the scope of the transaction escalated, Sophie's work ethic was second to none, not going home for days at a time as deadlines and timeframes became essential to hit. She really understood us as a client and how to balance legal excellence in the contracts with the terms and approach we wanted to take.’
Key clients
- AIG
- Anansi
- Aquiline
- Arch
- HSBC Innovation Bank
- HSBC Investment Bank
- International Holding Company
- Global Blockchain Business Council
- Kneip
- InsurX
- Lloyds Bank
- Mastercard
Work highlights
Advised HSBC on its agreement with B2B FinTech Unicorn Tradeshift to launch a new, jointly-owned business focused on the development of embedded finance solutions and financial services apps.
Advised a consortium comprising TowerBrook, J.C. Flowers and Railsr (the Consortium) on their £283m recommended cash offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Equals Group Plc. Equals develops and sells scalable payment platforms to enable organisations to move and easily manage their money flows through its payment and card products.
Advised Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc as financial adviser to BCP VI Neptune Bidco Holdings Limited, an entity indirectly owned by Brookfield Business Partners together with private equity funds managed and/or advised by affiliates of Brookfield Asset Management Ltd, on its £2.2bn (US$2.8bn) recommended cash offer for Network International Holdings Plc, a technology-enabled payments solutions provider.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Sean Murphy, Victoria Birch, Nicholas Berry
Other key lawyers
Bayo Odubeko; Sophie O'Connor