Praised for its ‘in-depth knowledge of regulation and regulator', A&O Shearman has established itself as a key port of call for various types of work, such as the development of crypto-asset regulatory regimes for sovereign nations. The practice is headed up by digitalisation specialist William Samengo-Turner, and Ben Regnard-Weinrabe, a regulatory specialist who advises e-money and payment service providers, central banks and tech companies on a range of regulatory matters and strategic projects. Nikki Johnstone is geared to advise fintech clients on impact of sectoral regulation and intersecting horizontal domestic regimes. Barney Reynolds‘ practice extends to advising financial institutions’ senior management on legal risk management. Rory Copeland is equipped to advise clients on the regulatory characterisation of new products and services.

Clifford Chance LLP‘s regulatory experience is founded upon strategic relationships with a host of central banks, financial regulators, data regulators and enforcement agencies. CBDCs, cross-border marketing and cyber resilience for regulated entities are all areas of activity for the wide-reaching practice. Simon Crown, Kate Scott and Paul Landless head up the team; Crown, in particular, frequently advises clients on the implications of Brexit for cross-border payments. Monica Sah is frequently mandated to advise on the regulation of crypto exchanges and custody under AMLD5. Diego Ballon Ossio works with technology companies and financial institutions on the regulatory aspects of digital asset trading, while Caroline Meinertz’s experience extends to safeguarding obligations under the Payment Services Regulations 2017. Kikun Alo is well placed to advise on matters at the cross-section of fintech and ESG

Praised for its ‘extensive knowledge of the UK and EU regulatory markets’, Latham & Watkins is active across the fintech ecosystem, encompassing expertise in digital assets, digital platforms, digital payments, and Web3. Stuart Davis heads up the team and is lauded for his ‘unparalleled knowledge of the payments space and inner workings of the regulators’. He excels in guiding fintechs through the UK and global regulatory environment. Gabriel Lakeman, who became a partner in January 2024, is highlighted for his knowledge of super-apps and innovative securities platforms, including MiFID II and AIFMD. Sam Maxson has a notable focus on digital assets and frequently assists disruptive startups and established entities looking to expand their offerings with compliance and market positioning. Brett Carr is regularly mandated to assist fintechs with domestic and cross-border expansion.

Linklaters LLP‘s fintech team has developed a reputation for being at the forefront of developments in financial market infrastructure (FMI). A diverse lineup of financial institutions, FMI operators, challenger banks and technology companies turn to the group for assistance navigating the regulatory landscape in the UK, Europe and beyond. Leadership is divided between six partners: Julian Cunningham-Day is well versed in the issues that AI adoption is posing in the financial services sector. Harry Eddis is equipped to advise on the impact of the FCA crypto marketing regime. Richard Hay is a recognised authority on electronic trade documents. Michael Voisin is a known name for innovative blockchain projects, including those involving regulatory sandboxes. Lisa Chang and Fionnghuala Griggs complete the hexad. Sam Quicke is singled out for his expertise in structured products and derivatives matters.

Major clearing banks, industry and trade bodies, and major crypto projects are among the clients who turn to the team at Norton Rose Fulbright for regulatory advice across a range of issues, including payment systems, distributed ledger technology, the metaverse and NFTs, and consumer credit. Hannah Meakin - who heads up the practice - has amassed considerable experience advising on the use of blockchain in relation to market infrastructure. Jonathan Herbst is versed in the intricacies of BNPL regulation. Nicholas Berry is increasingly active on products using emerging technology in the insurance crypto space. Albert Weatherill is focused on the development of  innovative financial services and products, such as digital assets issuance and trading. Matthew Gregory and Haris Karacosta are further key contacts at the firm.

Praised for its ‘exceptional knowledge of the regulators’ agenda’, Ashurst is sought out by a range of major financial institutions and tech companies for advice that runs the regulatory gamut, assisting banks with regulatory change projects, the implementation of regulation such as MiCA, and the establishment of innovative investment funds platform, among other matters. Team leadership is split between five partners: Etay Katz‘s regulatory prowess is reflected in his position as the private practice legal practitioner on the FCA’s Innovation Advisory Board. David Futter is singled out for his knowledge of data protection and privacy regulation. Bradley Rice enjoys a strong market reputation for his adroit handling of innovative payment infrastructure projects. Tara Waters is an expert in digital strategy. Corporate partner Jonathan Cohen completes the leadership team. Other key figures include Sidika Ulker, who is well versed in the application of payment services and e-money regulation.

Bird & Bird LLP boasts regulatory expertise in the payments sector, including advising payment service providers on the continuing implications of Brexit for their business and projects that fall at the cross-section between payments and blockchain. Further key areas of strength include advice on the applicability of relevant regulation to new types of BNPL service structures and the implications of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act. Commercial partner Jonathan Emmanuel heads up the practice alongside regulatory experts Gavin Punia and Trystan Tether. Punia frequently brings his expertise to bear when giving regulatory and governance training to multinational payments clients, while Tether has a proven track record of advising on remote banking, electronic money and payment card schemes. Nassos Kalliris frequently helps clients in the payments and the e-money space with their FCA authorisation applications.

The ‘perspicacious and innovative team’ at CMS pulls together a strong offering, with sweet spots for the practice including online platforms, digital assets, and crowdfunding. The unit is additionally singled out for its work with fintech start-ups. Sam Robinson and Chris Glennie jointly oversee the team. Robinson is well-placed to help major crypto players navigate the UK financial promotion regime, while Glennie’s expertise extends to advising on both wholesale and retail mandates. Mike Ringer, who joined in September 2023 from a role as head of legal at Binance, is well placed to assist digital assets clients with their global regulatory strategies. Yasmin Johal is geared to assist international investors with their investments in fintechs.

Banks, trading platforms and new model finance providers are among the clients who rely on the expertise at DLA Piper. Anthony Day heads up the team, and has proven track record in handling strategic fintech projects, particularly projects that combine technology and regulatory aspects. Sophie Lessar, lauded as  ‘really knowledgeable in the payment processing sector’, counts banking products, virtual assets and consumer law as additional strong suits. Clients cite Tony Katz for his experience 'regularly (acting) on high-profile matters against the FCA’. Authorisation and perimeter issues are core competencies for Puesan Lam. Martin Bartlam left the firm for an in-house role in September 2023.

Fielding a ‘really strong team’, Fox Williams LLP‘s is noted for providing a broad range of regulatory advice to a range of fintechs, notably at the start-up and scale-up end of the market. The unit is jointly overseen by Chris Hill, who joined the team from Deloitte Legal in February 2024, and Jonathan Segal, a recognised authority in the growth stage lending platform space. Sona Ganatra has deep experience of cross-border investigations involving regulatory bodies. Peter Finch is praised for his regulatory ‘insight and foresight’ and ability to weigh ‘legal complexities against practical realities’. Mardi MacGregor excels in matters related to the regulation of financial markets and instruments.

The ‘strong grasp of crypto and digital asset regulation’ at Travers Smith LLP is brought to bear on a host of mandates. The unit is additionally well regarded for its expertise in financial market infrastructures, securities trading and wholesale and retail payments. Natalie Lewis' far-reaching practice spans cross-border payments systems and contractual arrangements for digital asset platforms, while Mark Evans is well-versed in the intricacies of funds tokenisation. John Lee and James Turner also come recommended.

White & Case LLP's is particularly noted for its advisory work on laws and regulations relevant to the payments industry, commercial payments agreements and partnerships and cybersecurity advice. Jonathan Rogers' detailed knowledge of FCA and PRA regulation is key to a range of financial services clients. Kristen DiLemmo’s practice spans advice on MiFID II, AIFMD, EMIR, MAR and payment services regulation. Mark Smith further bolsters the payments expertise at the firm.

Underpinned by the firm’s technological expertise, Baker McKenzie‘s fintech offering is notably strong in areas involving new technologies such as AI and blockchain. The cross-practice team is co-chaired by technology lawyer Sue McLean and financial services regulatory lawyer Mark Simpson. McLean is an AI expert who frequently leads on responsible AI governance and AI-related transactional projects, while Simpson advises clients - including payment institutions, banks and cryptoasset firms - on issues ranging from business launches to regulatory authorisations. Sarah Williams is equipped to assist major fintech clients with their expansion strategies.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is equipped to assist clients ranging from leading crypto exchanges to multinational corporations on a host of regulatory issues, encompassing cross-border regulatory investigations, licensing issues and the operation of their businesses inside and outside of the regulatory perimeter. Leadership duties are divided between Michelle Kirschner, Alison Beal and Joel Harrison. Kirschner chairs the firm’s global financial regulatory group and excels in advising fintech firms on regulatory perimeter issues, while Beal and Harrison have amassed considerable experience in technology-related transactions.

Praised for its ‘intimate understanding of the digital assets and Web3 sector’, gunnercooke LLP‘s fintech team is noted for its ability to draft regulatory frameworks and its deep expertise in the crypto space. ‘Sharp mind’ James Burnie is the key contact at the firm. He frequently assists regulators in the UK and globally with their understanding of  and approach to the cryptoassets industry. Kathryn Dodds‘ broad practice encompasses work with DAOs for Web3 projects and advice on fundraising documentation. Meghan Millward is equipped to advise on the regulatory treatment of tokens.

Payment systems and processors, issuers and acquirers of e-money and digital payment instruments, and investment funds are among the clients which seek out Sidley Austin LLP's fintech team. Leonard Ng heads up the team and frequently assists payment clients who provide regulated investment services. Max Savoie leads the firm's UK and EU payments and fintech practice and is well-positioned to advise clients on the forthcoming third Payment Services Directive. AML and sanctions work relating to the payments sector is a key strength for Rachpal K. Thind.

Described as ‘excellent partners for digital and fintech business models’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s offering covers day-to-day regulatory advice, payments expertise, platform launches and crypto asset product development advice. Martin Cook, who divides his time between London and Bristol, heads up the practice. Cook counts product development, regulatory strategy and risk management among his practice strengths. Anna Davis is well-placed to assist fintech platforms with issues such as regulatory strategy and Consumer Duty implementations.

Praised for its 'deep understanding' of the ‘legal and regulatory framework’, Cooley (UK) LLP‘s team is well-placed to handle a range of AI, data protection and cybersecurity issues for fintechs. Guadalupe Sampedro co-heads the practice and excels in mandates that fall at the nexus between cybersecurity and fintech. Chris Coulter‘s practice extends to digitalisation projects and IP transactions. Private equity and sovereign wealth funds, venture capital firms and payment service providers turn to Yulia Makarova for regulatory assistance.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is active across areas such as operational and digital resilience, payments regulations and open banking. Simon Gamlin heads up the team and is well-placed to assist with payment services outsourcing mandates. Simon Lightman adds to the outsourcing expertise at the firm while Richard Jones is versed in the intricacies of PSD2.

Platform design and structuring, high-level perimeter advice and supporting entry into regulatory sandboxes are all areas of activity for the fintech group at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. Leadership duties are split between four practitioners: Caroline Rae, Terence Lau, Alexander Amato-Cravero and Nick Pantlin. Cravero is equipped to advise financial institutions and emerging fintechs on issues connected to blockchain, machine learning and digital assets, while Pantlin is well-placed to advise banks, insurers and investment platforms on the use and adoption of technologies such as blockchain and AI. Marina Reason frequently operates at the nexus between regulatory requirements and digital assets.

Keystone Law is equipped to assist technology-based companies with scaling and to support tech-based business transformations. Key fintech contacts at the firm include Dan Hyde, who is well versed in the national and international regulation of crypto assets, and Leon Hurd, whose broad practice spans metaverse projects, DAOs, and cross-border VASP rules.

Mayer Brown International LLP is equipped to advise banks, insurers, other financial institutions on contentious and advisory work under UK and EU law.  Intellectual Property and IT specialist Mark Prinsley co-heads the team alongside financial regulatory expert Chris Chapman. The latter is noted for his prowess in internal and external investigations and matters involving regulatory and law enforcement authorities. Oliver Yaros is a key contact for for technology and outsourcing transactions. Musonda Kapotwe frequently advises on the regulatory aspects of transactional work.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP fields an ‘extremely agile and highly reliable team’ which is particuarly known for its expertise across regulated transactions, EMI applications and cross-border payments work. Dan Jones heads up the team, and is well placed to handle regulatory projects, such as the development of digital-only retail banks. Marco Boldini, who divides his time between London and Milan, frequently acts on compliance matters before the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Guy Stevenson focuses on retail financial services mandates, spanning issues such as crypto, sanctions and anti-money laundering.

From advising banks on UK product documentation to consumer credit issues and strategic digital transformation projects, Shoosmiths LLP is well placed to assist a host of clients on all manner of work, ranging from start-ups to major financial institutions. Technology expert Prakash Kerai co-heads the practice alongside the Manchester-based outsourcing specialist Luke Stubbs. Suzanne Taylor, who divides her time between Manchester, London and Birmingham, advises consumer finance clients on regulatory compliance with the FCA. Thomas Morrison is particularly praised by clients for his 'significant knowledge and experience in UK payment system regulations.'

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is geared to advise on an array of cross-border regulatory matters, and is notably adept at assisting blockchain and cryptoasset clients with the navigation of  domestic and international regulatory and securities regimes. Practice head Simon Toms is well versed in the intricacies of the cryptoasset regulatory framework. Joseph Kamyar is well placed to advise on regulatory issues connected to the custody of crypto assets. Abigail Reeves is a further name to note.

Praised for its ‘great quality advice’, Taylor Wessing LLP's expertise covers platforms, cryptoassets and governance, among other matters. VC investment specialist Howard Palmer and UK head of regulatory Charlotte Hill jointly oversee the team. Hill, in particular, regularly works with financial services institutions navigating EU directives and regulations, as well as UK financial services regulations. Clare Reynolds is geared to advise on the regulatory aspects of payments, e-commerce, and technology outsourcing.