Staying ahead of the curve by embracing digital transformation
The evolution and development of fintech has changed the way the global financial service industry interacts with clients.
Fintech requires a combination of expertise in institutional regulatory, financing, technology, and procurement with deep knowledge of blockchain-based assets and digital platforms. The niche of our Hong Kong Fintech team in these areas, as well cross-team specialists in intellectual property, cyber and data privacy and protection and dispute resolution, equips us to advise on all aspects of the fintech life cycle.
Tech-savvy lawyers who know fintech
Tackling the fintech opportunity head on, our dedicated lawyers offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to take your ideas and innovations to market. We have a thorough understanding of cutting-edge products involving technology such as blockchain, virtual assets, digital identity, AI, digital wallets and mobile apps.
We enjoy being creative. Equipped with fresh fintech concepts and contemporary legal thinking, we have collaborated with clients from start-ups and unicorns of the digital economy to fund managers, wealth managers, financial institutions, government authorities, industry organisations and corporates launching new businesses. We have worked with high profile financial services organisations as well as fintech concept creators and new start-ups to shape and build new fintech products.
The KWM Fintech team is connected and ready to help. We have a deep understanding of both the local and international financial services regulatory landscape. A large proportion of our mandates are transnational. Negotiating complex regulatory issues, we regularly support our clients with implementing market leading products across China and APAC.
Leading the way for fintech in Hong Kong
We act on ground-breaking fintech projects and first-to-market initiatives, and regularly support our clients implementing sophisticated and highly complex products in Hong Kong, China Mainland, including the Greater Bay Area, and across APAC.
Our key strengths include:
- Virtual banking. We have been the law firm of choice for virtual banks, including acted for ZA Bank, the first ever virtual bank launching business to the public in Hong Kong, amongst others.
- Firsts in fintech. With prestigious industry appointments to advise on virtual banking and stored value facility licensing, Hong Kong’s proposed KYC Utility, open API framework and eID systems, as well as creating one of Asia’s leading cryptocurrency, blockchain and fintech practices.
- KYC Utility and open banking. Our work on the KYC Utility, openAPI and digital identity projects demonstrates our ability to deliver seamless legal, technical and project management services.
- Crypto platforms and funds. We work with global market-leading innovators driving developments in the blockchain and virtual asset sectors, including acting for multiple large crypto exchanges and brokerages, lending platforms and funds, as well as new complex instruments such as BTC futures and perpetuals products.
- New platforms and disruptive technologies. We regularly advise on innovative products and digital proposals.
- “Smart” compliance controls. We work closely with clients to develop smart AML/KYC controls that leverage technologies such as biometrics and digital signatures. We have also briefed the banking industry on possible reforms to the suspicious transaction reporting regime.
- Closed door regulatory discussions. We are invited to brief regulators on emerging technologies including blockchain, virtual assets, digital identity and AI.
- Band 1 firm by Chambers FinTech Guide since 2019.
