FinTech

We act for both technology suppliers and customer organisations procuring fintech solutions, as well as fintech investors and acquirors.

The fintech sector is hugely varied covering an innovative combination of technology and financial services. The sector has undergone radical change with challenger banks bringing new agile competition to traditional banks, modernisation of legacy systems utilising cloud and outsourced infrastructure and novel products such as bitcoin, stablecoins and NFTs. 

The speedy advances in technology in this area such as Distributed Ledger Technology, big data and AI are both an enabler and challenger of the sector. These powerful tools open up the possibility of innovative products at an unprecedented pace. However, they also raise important questions on security, intellectual property, data protection, as well as consumer and investor safety. 

The UK regulators have taken a risk-based approach when applying the existing legal framework on relevant activities, instead of dictating a fixed set of rules on a restricted definition of “fintech”. Such flexibility allows the fintech sector to grow without being stymied by regulations from the outset. 

On the other hand, not all market participants, especially new entrants, are fully aware of the regulations that may apply to them. The pressure on regulators to further regulate fintech is, however, mounting as the sector becomes more mature and systemically important, and to address the impacts of disruptive technology used by the sector.

We understand the disruptive and fast- paced nature of the sector and can help fintech organisations navigate the complex regulatory landscape and unique sector challenges and opportunities. 

Our strength lies in our multidisciplinary team. Our clients benefit from our full-service offering and tech sector-wide collaboration. We have a unique blend of industry and legal expertise in respect of technologies that underpin the fintech sector, such as blockchain, cryptoassets, web3 or AI. 

We deliver pragmatic advice on a wide range of areas, from IT outsourcing, smart contracts, data migration and cutting-edge payment solutions and payment processing, self-service kiosks and predictive technology. 

Some key highlights of our fintech expertise include:

• advising suppliers and purchasers of payment services and payment infrastructure and other outsourcing arrangements including compliance with EBA guidelines;
• advising businesses which utilise Distributed Ledger Technology (Blockchain) as part of their service offerings, e.g. cryptocurrency including initial coin offering and other form of cryptoassets;
• advising on utilisation and provision of “everything-as-a-service” such as PaaS or BaaS;
• advising on data management strategy including how to compliantly collect, utilise and process banking, payment and transaction data;
• advising on domestic and international M&A and equity investments, funds portfolio diligence and investments; and
• advising and mentoring early-stage companies and scale-ups.