Norton Rose Fulbright offers a robust financial services practice, with leading expertise in fintech matters, such as establishing cryptocurrency exchanges, license applications and reviews, and advising regulatory bodies on framework development. The firm has strong ties with both regional and global financial institutions, including a number of investment banks and a diverse array of startups, asset and fund managers, and fintech and payment providers. Practice head Matthew Shanahan, lauded as ‘the best regulatory lawyer in the EMEA’, works extensively with private entities and regulators. Karl Masi, who joined from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in March 2024, has a growing practice in investigations and regulatory enforcement. Andre Abou Aad offers additional expertise in digital assets, while Hasanali Pirbhai covers both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Matt Shanahan is the best regulatory lawyer in EMEA. There is no one who comes close.’
‘Very competent staff and highly responsive.’
‘Dealing mostly with Hasanali and Matt. Very helpful and professional individuals, expert in their fields. A great pleasure collaborating with them’
‘Matt Shanahan is our go-to adviser for financial regulatory work given the depth of his experience both in private practice and with regulators themselves. He has a firm sense of the current regulatory mindset, and which is invaluable to the advice provided.’
Key clients
- Bybit
- Private Banks in the DIFC
- Paxos
- OKX
- ACX
Work highlights
- Assisting Bybit with setting up a cryptocurrency exchange in Dubai under the VARA regime.
- Advising OKX on obtaining a Conditional Full Market Product license from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority to operate a virtual asset exchange in Dubai.
- Advising Paxos on obtaining In Principle Approvals from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority to operate regulated entities in the Abu Dhabi Global Market for issuing stablecoins and providing other digital asset services.
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.
Hasanali Pirbhai
Practice head
Matthew Shanahan
Other key lawyers
Karl Masi; Andre Abou Aad; Hasanali Pribhai