Blockchain, digital assets and cryptocurrencies are disrupting the way the world does business. This makes it critically important for companies across all industries to understand the legal and regulatory considerations that arise during the development and implementation of these complex technologies. Sidley is at the forefront of this technological and legal innovation. Our blockchain group serves both emerging companies and established institutions worldwide, providing sophisticated transactional, regulatory and litigation advice. Such clients include digital asset trading platforms, blockchain technology companies, U.S. and non-U.S. broker-dealers, financial services companies and asset management firms.
Success in this dynamic space also requires a contextual understanding of the specific laws and best practices that pertain to the industries within which blockchain technologies are being implemented. Our team leverages the global reach and talent of the firm’s lawyers across multiple disciplines and industry groups, including financial services, energy, technology, agribusiness and food, real estate, insurance and life sciences. Cross-disciplinary coordination is essential to meeting the needs of our fast-moving client base.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
Clients rely on us for our industry knowledge and entrust us with navigating their most complex legal issues. Our latest work encompasses:
- Securities and broker-dealer regulatory advice for digital asset trading platforms
- Digital asset fund formation
- Blockchain technology implementation
- M&A and secured lending transactions
- Securities offering and IPOs of cryptocurrency miners and AI chipmakers
- Registered and exempt blockchain token offerings, NFTs
- Tokenization of physical assets and sovereign currencies
- Money services business and virtual currency compliance
- Virtual currency investment products
- Global regulatory advice concerning HK SFC, UK FCA/PRA and U.S. SEC, CFTC and FINRA regulatory regimes
- Investment adviser and custody rule requirements
- Cross-border blockchain technology transactions
- Tax structuring advice
- Advice regarding anti-money laundering issues
- SEC enforcement matters and defense of securities class actions
- UCC considerations involving blockchain tokens
- Cybersecurity controls and incident response for sensitive data
Industry Advocate
Sidley’s Blockchain practice includes the most respected legal professionals in the field. Committed to moving the industry forward, we are frequent speakers and authors and regularly participate in key industry conferences and initiatives. We draft white papers and articles on topics ranging from smart contracts to SEC enforcement and regularly file amicus briefs on behalf of industry interests. We engage in regulatory and legislative advocacy, with members serving on key organizations and committees, including UCC drafting committees. In 2019, we launched a blockchain educational program that includes a webinar series, white papers and frequent client updates to educate our clients and the broader business public about the opportunities and requirements related to blockchain and digital assets.