Clifford Chance LLP’s fintech regulatory practice operates as part of the firm’s global tech group, advising clients from across industry sectors, including global financial institutions, cryptoasset service providers, and technology platforms. The group’s work spans regulatory strategy, licensing, product and software development, market infrastructure, M&A, litigation, and digital transformation initiatives. The team has established close working relationships with regulators, central banks, and industry bodies worldwide, contributing to the development of fintech regulatory frameworks and standards. Recent significant matters include reviewing AWS’s financial services terms for alignment with the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), and guiding a crypto exchange on client asset and money rules impacting spot crypto settlements in the UK and Europe. The fintech team is co-led by Simon Crown, Paul Landless, and Diego Ballon Ossio. Crown also leads the global payments practice and serves on the City of London Law Society’s Regulatory Committee. Landless advises on technology and innovation in financial markets, including DLT, tokenisation, custody, and market infrastructure. Ballon Ossio was recently promoted to co-head of the fintech group, advising on high-profile regulatory and policy matters and contributing to public commentary on digital asset developments. Kate Scott specialises in financial services and technology litigation, advising fintech clients on complex disputes and regulatory follow-on matters. She focuses on managing contentious portfolios, defending collective data actions, and advising on civil risks linked to AI, crypto, data use, and cyber. Caroline Meinertz leads the London financial regulatory group, advising on the full range of financial regulation.
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Key clients

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Bitstamp
  • Binance
  • Citi
  • Coinbase Global Inc.
  • Digital Asset (US) Corp.
  • International Capital Market Association (ICMA)
  • International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA)
  • HQLAx S.à r.l.
  • New Wave Capital Limited (Capital on Tap)
  • Nubank
  • OKX
  • Oracle
  • UBS

Work highlights

Assisted a cryptocurrency exchange entity in Europe and the UK in respect of the application of regulatory requirements under various client asset and client money frameworks on the spot crypto settlement process.

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

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

Diego Ballon Ossio, Simon Crown, Kate Scott, Paul Landless

Other key lawyers

Caroline Meinertz; Kikun Alo