Kristin S. Teager

KRISTIN TEAGER advises a broad range of entities across the U.S. payments ecosystem—including banks, fintech platforms, cryptocurrency companies, payment processors, money transmitters, and retailers—on the regulatory, transactional, and strategic matters that shape the design and delivery of financial services.

Kristin counsels clients on the development and distribution of innovative payments, blockchain, and other fintech products, offering thoughtful, practical guidance for navigating the complexities of an evolving regulatory environment. Her work spans both traditional payments systems and the latest in cryptocurrency, including stablecoins, custodial platforms, tokenized payment systems, and other blockchain-based innovations. She advises on structuring products and operations to advance business goals while managing legal and compliance risks, and she frequently assists with evaluating licensing requirements and engaging with federal and state regulators throughout the product lifecycle.

She regularly advises on compliance with key financial regulatory frameworks, including the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), UDAAP standards, federal anti-money laundering laws, and state money transmission statutes, as well as federal and state regimes governing digital assets and virtual currencies. Kristin combines deep subject-matter knowledge with a business-minded approach to help clients bring new financial products to market efficiently and responsibly.

Kristin also has significant experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial agreements supporting financial services offerings and strategic partnerships. Kristin has helped negotiate credit card program agreements governing billions of dollars of receivables across co-brand and private label programs in sectors ranging from retail and e-commerce to digital platforms. Her work in this space enables clients to structure highly strategic, scalable relationships while navigating evolving consumer finance regulations.

Kristin has been named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Banking and Finance Law (2026).

Kristin serves as primary outside counsel to both established high-growth companies and innovative start-ups. She is known for her responsiveness, sound judgment, and practical insight, and plays a central role in Sidley’s work at the intersection of financial regulation, innovation, and technology.

Representative matters include:

• Drafted and negotiated credit card program agreements between various banks and fintech providers to support the launch of innovative co-branded and private label credit card arrangements governing billions of dollars of credit card receivables.
• Assisted a major U.S. fintech provider with the launch of its cryptocurrency services, including negotiating commercial agreements with its strategic partners, advising on product structure, evaluating regulatory obligations, applying for a New York Bitlicense, interfacing with state regulatory agencies, and updating its customer agreements.
• Advised cryptocurrency platform start-ups on all aspects of their services including evaluation of regulatory issues, state licensing, commercial and customer-facing agreements, disclosures, anti-money laundering procedures, and other corporate policies.
• Advised crypto brokers, traders, custodians, exchanges, DeFi developers, and platforms on a wide range of novel operational and strategic compliance issues.
• Represented a social payments start-up in connection with the regulation of its in-game payment services.
• Advised payment processors, payment facilitators, marketplace platform providers, and their investors on federal and state licensing and other regulatory obligations associated with their roles in payment transactions. This includes providing guidance on structuring relationships to avoid licensing concerns and lessen regulatory burdens.
• Advised on enacted and proposed payments, mobile commerce, and related legislation and regulation, including in the areas of consumer protection, safety and soundness, licensing, anti-money laundering, banking, cybersecurity, online gambling, e-money, money transmission, e-commerce, mobile payments, and virtual currency.
• Assisted investors and acquirers in their diligence of money services businesses, and obtaining regulatory approvals for the acquisition of state-licensed money services businesses on a nationwide basis.