Bird & Bird LLP

Boasting a ‘personable and professional team’, Bird & Bird LLP’s fintech regulatory practice is ‘quick to grasp legal issues relating to emerging technologies’, advising across the fintech ecosystem, including payments, open banking, crypto, and AI. Clients come from a broad spectrum, with the group supporting global institutions, scale-ups, and start-ups on both UK and EU regulatory matters. The team regularly handles complex, cross-border mandates in collaboration with the firm’s fintech commercial and corporate practice, with recent significant matters including the establishment of a stablecoin-based payment and investment platform, the launch of a major crypto-asset exchange in the UK, and the rollout of an international card programme. The practice also acts for NOAH, a crypto on/off-ramp provider, delivering regulatory advice across multiple jurisdictions. Trystan Tether leads on electronic banking and financial services, bringing in-depth experience advising clients on mobile payments, remote banking, e-money, and payment schemes. His work includes regulatory authorisations, consumer documentation, and commercial negotiations. A financial services regulatory specialist, Gavin Punia advises across payments, e-money, blockchain, and digital infrastructure. He has particular expertise in the regulation of digital payment services, advising providers, operators, issuers, and e-commerce platforms. Senior associate Thomas Hepplewhite advises on authorisations, scope of regulation, conduct rules, and commercial agreements, bringing a strong focus on the regulatory impact of open banking, crypto, and AI.