Crypto & Digital Assets Legal Services

We act for businesses and individuals where cryptoassets are the subject or object of a dispute, or where cryptoassets are the mechanism used in wrongdoing such as fraud and theft.

Given cryptoassets can move at the click of a mouse and seamlessly across borders, it is often necessary to act quickly.

In matters of fraud involving cryptoassets, wrongdoers often exploit the pseudonymous nature of the blockchain by operating behind multiple wallet addresses, aliases, and layers of intermediaries.

Our team are well versed in the process of tackling the pseudonymity that criminals seek to benefit from, by utilising on chain evidence and specialist analytics to deploy targeted strategies against relevant third parties (such as exchanges, custodians and service providers) to connect identified wallet activity to real world identities and locate assets for recovery action.

We also work in wider cryptoasset disputes, including contractual disputes involving exchanges, brokers, lenders, custodians, token issuers, and technology providers.

Our work typically includes:

• Rapid incident response, triage and strategy, including evidence capture and preservation;
• Asset tracing, working alongside specialist blockchain analytics experts
• Presenting urgent court applications seeking proprietary injunctions, worldwide freezing orders and disclosure orders so that assets can be identified and preserved at the earliest opportunity and key information can be obtained to identify those responsible.
• Preparing and pursuing underlying claims for civil fraud and related causes of action for the recovery of assets, including claims for breach of trust, conversion, unjust enrichment, misrepresentation and breach of contract
• Advising on and conducting cross border strategy, including jurisdiction and forum analysis and coordination with overseas counsel where appropriate
• Managing enforcement and recovery routes, including settlement strategy, asset realisation and judgment enforcement planning.
• Advising on reputational and stakeholder management during live incidents and proceedings, including communications strategy and risk containment.

We advise cryptoasset businesses and those looking to expand into the cryptoasset market, whether by accepting cryptoassets as a form of payment or by building or integrating their own cryptoasset products and services. We help clients put robust documentation in place and structure arrangements clearly, including:

• Platform terms, custody terms, and token issuance documentation such as whitepapers
• Commercial contracts that involve cryptoasset payments, custody, or token based rights
• Partnerships, joint ventures and strategy collaborations
• Advising on token sale documentation, including SAFEs, SAFTs and related investor terms, as well as the associated risk, governance and compliance considerations.

We advise cryptoasset businesses, token issuing entities and platforms on regulatory and compliance risk inherent to their business, including:

• UK anti money laundering registration and compliance support
• AML and sanctions controls, governance, and policies
• Financial promotions support for cryptoasset related marketing and communications
• Regulatory engagement and incident response planning, including practical steps after a breach or suspected fraud.

We also advise individuals who have built wealth in the cryptoasset space and wish to bridge that wealth in the traditional financial system. We provide discreet, practical support to help bridge digital wealth into fiat and assist in meeting the requirements of banks, solicitors, lenders and other counterparties that can often view wealth derived from cryptoassets with suspicion. Our personal services typically include:

• Source of funds and source of wealth verification where the wealth has been derived from non-traditional sources such as cryptoassets, to support high value transactions such as property purchases
• Account freezes and restricted banking, advising individuals where bank accounts have been frozen or restricted, or financial crime investigations have been instigated following cryptoasset deposits, including engagement with banks, law enforcement and counterparties.
• Estate and succession planning support, including asset mapping, structuring considerations and coordination with private client teams and trusted advisers
• Digital legacy planning and advising on practical arrangements so that cryptoassets can be securely identified, accessed and transferred to intended beneficiaries on death or incapacity, without compromising security during your lifetime.

Strictly speaking, there is no single body of “crypto law”. Rather, cryptoasset matters draw on established areas of law and regulation, including commercial contracts, financial services regulation, AML and sanctions compliance, data and technology, and disputes and fraud. Our team brings deep expertise across these areas and applies it to the cryptoasset space and on chain evidence.

We have a proven track record in digital asset litigation, arbitration, compliance, and asset recovery, and we apply that experience in a way that reflects how the sector operates in practice

Yes, we work with forensic experts and pursue legal tools like injunctions, freezing orders and disclosure orders to follow and trace misappropriated assets with a view to ultimately recovering the assets or their fiat value.

Yes. Crypto matters are often cross border and we are often instructed to advise as co-counsel to foreign lawyers and counsel, and coordinate strategy given our expertise in this sector.

That depends on your activity. Common areas include anti money laundering requirements, sanctions compliance and the financial promotions regime. We provide practical guidance tailored to your business model and risk profile.

We offer transparent, flexible fee arrangements. Depending on the matter, this can include hourly rates, staged budgets, capped fees for defined pieces of work, or a blended approach.