WHO TO READ ON CRYPTO LICENSING.
An editorial reading list of practitioners shaping crypto-asset regulation and licensing. We cite them for their public work and link to their own profiles.
These are independent practitioners at their own firms. They are cited here for their public commentary and standing — they are not contributors to, authors for, or endorsers of this index, and listing them implies no affiliation.
Ladan Stewart
United StatesFormerly led the SEC crypto and cyber litigation team, working matters including SEC v. Ripple and SEC v. Coinbase, before moving to private practice. One of the sharpest reads on US crypto enforcement risk.
On SEC crypto enforcement, she has spoken of building her practice around helping crypto firms with "the thorny regulatory issues they face" and "restarting the engagement between the industry and the agency."
Source: Forbes Q&A via White & Case, May 2024 →Tiffany J. Smith
United StatesChambers FinTech-ranked and a House Financial Services Committee witness on digital assets. Advises exchanges, platforms and Web3 companies on securities-regulatory and compliance questions.
Has testified before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee on the regulation of digital assets.
Source: WilmerHale profile →Jaclyn Tsai
Taiwan / AsiaChief consultant to the Taiwan VASP Association and chair of the Asia FinTech Alliance; a former judge and IBM Greater China general counsel. Among the most recognised fintech voices in Asia.
Serves as chief legal consultant to the Taiwan VASP Association and chairs the Asia FinTech Alliance.
Source: Lee, Tsai & Partners profile →Arun Srivastava
United KingdomAdvises regulated firms on crypto, EMI authorisation, payment services and money-laundering compliance across the UK and Europe, with an FCA secondment behind him.
Advises banks, payment institutions and crypto businesses on FCA authorisation and money-laundering regulation, with a secondment to the UK regulator behind him.
Source: Paul Hastings profile →Nina Moffatt
United Kingdom / EUAdvises payment, e-money and crypto-asset businesses on UK and EU regulatory compliance, authorisation applications and supervisory relations.
Advises payment, e-money and crypto-asset firms on UK and EU authorisation applications, including MiCA readiness.
Source: Paul Hastings profile →Hovsep Kocharyan
EU / CEEA prolific MiCA and CASP-licensing writer with a PhD in EU law and CySEC and ACAMS credentials, working across the CEE, Baltic and offshore regimes crypto founders actually use.
Publishes regularly on MiCA, CASP licensing and AML/CFT compliance for EU crypto businesses.
Source: Author profile →Affiliations verified against each practitioner's own firm bio. Something out of date? Tell the desk.