Bringing a ‘passion for assisting early-stage fintech businesses’, Ashurst‘s fintech regulatory practice advises global banks, financial institutions, technology companies, and high-growth fintech start-ups on digitalisation, regulatory change, and innovation across the financial ecosystem. The team supports clients with the regulatory aspects of matters involving digital assets, digital money, embedded finance, AI, and the evolution from open banking to open finance. As head of digital assets and innovation, Etay Katz leads the practice’s regulatory strategy and engagement with the FCA and HM Treasury, bringing in-depth expertise advising global financial institutions on prudential regulation. David Futter brings over 20 years of fintech experience, advising national governments and leading financial services firms on digital transactions, payments, and platform-based solutions. Bradley Rice co-heads the digital finance group, focusing on crypto, DLT, digital money, and operational resilience projects such as EU DORA and UK regulatory implementation. Fiona Ghosh joined the firm in 2024, enhancing the team’s capabilities in payments, deep tech, and fintech adoption.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Passion for assisting early-stage fintech businesses and bringing together key players in the industry to build the fintech ecosphere.’
‘Brad Rice is very knowledgeable, engaging and approachable. However, he is incredibly busy so can be hard to reach.’
‘Competitive pricing, responsive, and innovative, particularly when it comes to handling nascent topics of DLT/blockchain and financial services law.’
‘Etay Katz is a digital assets expert and has unrivalled experience on all things DLT-based capital markets, counting as clients many of the premier bank-led DLT platforms for digital securities issuances. Max Savoie is the UK payments regulatory expert, and his can-do and commercial approach is hugely refreshing.’
Key clients
- The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)
- Banking Circle
- Goldman Sachs
- eToro Group
- Nomura
- Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME)
- Laser Digital
- Ramp Swaps
- Zenus Bank International Inc
- British Business Bank plc
- Nymlab
- Lendable Limited
Work highlights
HSBC Orion – Digitally Native Notes on the provision of its digital assets platform to the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in connection with the issuance of HK$1bn digitally native notes by HSBC as issuer.
Advising Nymlab on the structuring and creation of their digital securities and to assist in their application to the FCA's Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS).
Continuing to advise crypto derivatives exchange Deribit with strategic advice on its global business model and international regulatory obligations as it continues to expand its international footprint.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Bradley Rice, Etay Katz, David Futter, Fiona Ghosh
Other key lawyers
Sidika Ulker; Max Savoie