LEGAL
Digital Assets and Financial Innovation
World-first experience and expertise with a global perspective, innovative solutions and a deep involvement in the sector's future development and regulation.
Search our PeopleFinancial Services is at the threshold of the Digital Assets revolution
Much like the industrial and information revolutions before it, the Digital Assets revolution will fundamentally reshape the landscape of financial services. Everything we now know in financial services will be impacted. There are almost boundless cutting-edge opportunities, but with commensurate novel risks.
We leverage our extensive depth and breadth of expertise to help clients navigate and reap the rewards of these new opportunities.
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World-first expertise
Genuine world-first expertise; independently evidenced by our awards, world-first transaction track record, market recognition and top tier rankings.
Knowing your business
We are deeply embedded within the Digital Assets sector and have an in-depth understanding of each client's objectives; we work with our clients to provide commercial and innovative solutions.
Cutting-edge
We have assisted many clients with world-first and ground-breaking projects.
Deep understanding
We have a deep understanding of, and commitment to, the sector. We contribute to the development of policy, law and regulation through our memberships of trade, professional, Governmental and Regulators' committees and working groups.
Global reach
We have experts in every major financial centre who provide global expertise seamlessly and collaboratively.
Multi-disciplinary
Our global team advises on the most complex aspects of all facets of the sector and all stages of the Digital Assets life cycle, including financial regulation, technology, data, AI, capital markets, digital economy, M&A, fintech, financial distress, restructuring and insolvency.
How we can help
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Tokenisation
Not just a token presence
Read moreTokenisation
Not just a token presence
The tokenisation of securities is gathering pace. Ashurst has advised on bond issues in multiple jurisdictions, involving leading banks and digital infrastructure providers. Our dedicated team has unique experience launching projects that leverage distributed ledger technology (DLT) and other systems, while taking account of the evolving regulatory requirements that apply to issuers, investors, custodians, intermediaries and market operators.
A full range of experience
Our team's experience includes working with both native digital assets and tokenised investments. As markets develop, we have advised both new entrants and traditional financial institutions on the deployment of digital market infrastructure, cross-border services, and applications. Ashurst is at the front of the transformation of financial services, and we continue to evolve with our clients.
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Financial regulation
Increasing regulatory scrutiny
Read moreFinancial regulation
Increasing regulatory scrutiny
As financial technology evolves, market participants are increasingly exposed to new regulatory requirements, regulatory scrutiny, potential investigations and even possible sanctions. Participants need to pay particular attention to issues related to authorisation requirements, data privacy, cybersecurity and anti–money laundering and counter-terrorism financing legislation.
In-depth understanding
Ashurst’s multi-disciplinary team has an in-depth and global understanding of financial regulation. We provide critical analysis of new and proposed legislation impacting Digital Assets, including the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation in the EU (MICAR), the EU DLT Pilot Regulation, the UK's Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, UK's Digital Securities Sandbox (DSS) and the various proposals by the Law Commission to adapt English law to keep pace with Digital Assets. We regularly engage with Governmental institutions and Regulatory bodies in relation to all aspects of Digital Assets. Our client-oriented approach enables us to deliver commercial, practical and innovative advice to address the sector's specific and novel regulatory challenges.
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Capital Markets
Blockchain in Capital Markets
Read moreCapital Markets
Blockchain in Capital Markets
Blockchain technology has multiple capital markets use cases. From digitally native DLT government bonds and wholesale Central Bank Digital Currencies, to tokenised real world assets (RWA), distributed ledger technology is transforming all aspects of capital markets.
Top flight expertise
Our global experts have comprehensive experience advising all types of capital markets participants across the world’s major financial centres. We act across the spectrum of complex Digital Assets transactions and utilise technology solutions to assist our clients to maximise value.
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Digital payments
More than just Bitcoin
Read moreDigital payments
More than just Bitcoin
Blockchain technology is revolutionising the way the world moves value. From Cryptocurrencies, to Stablecoins, to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), digital transfer of value is evolving rapidly in many directions, influenced by regulation, geopolitics, technology and global trends (amongst many other factors).
In-depth expertise
Our experts have deep-rooted experience advising clients on all aspects of digital payments and infrastructure, from high-growth challengers to Central Banks and the world’s largest payment firms.
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Financial market infrastructure (FMI)
New plumbing
Read moreFinancial market infrastructure (FMI)
New plumbing
Distributed ledger technology is driving a transformation of FMI, with digital asset rails set to replace existing infrastructure. New FMI will herald a raft of benefits, including atomic (instantaneous) settlement, lower costs and vastly reduced administration.
Equipped to deal with FMI transformation
Our comprehensive understanding of traditional FMI, coupled with our deep experience of Digital Assets FMI, helps our clients to reap the benefits, whilst navigating the risks, of the evolving FMI landscape.
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M&A
Digitalisation encouraging activity
Read moreM&A
Digitalisation encouraging activity
Ashurst is internationally recognised for M&A. Digitalisation will lead to additional mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and spin-out activity. Economic volatility and geopolitical instability will also contribute to this trend.
Innovative advice across multiple jurisdictions
We work with public and private organisations of all sizes and at all stages of growth to execute transactions. We also advise institutional investors on fundraising, regulatory and investment activities. Our global technology M&A team has the strength, depth, sector knowledge and cross-border reach to deliver quality advice across multiple jurisdictions. Our NewLaw team are technology innovators.
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Financial distress, restructuring and insolvency
Digital universe; real world problems
Read moreFinancial distress, restructuring and insolvency
Digital universe; real world problems
Digital Assets are described as being everywhere and also nowhere. However things can and do go wrong, and real solutions are needed.
Real world solutions
Ashurst helps clients to translate digital issues into real world solutions. We have the sector expertise, international capability and track-record of advising on the full spectrum of issues and solutions arising from financial distress.
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Full lifecycle
Digital Assets lifecycle
Read moreFull lifecycle
Digital Assets lifecycle
Digital Assets offer ground-breaking opportunities, and novel challenges, however like real world assets they too have a lifecycle.
Cradle to grave
Our team members advise on the most complex aspects of all facets of the sector and all stages of the life cycle, including financial regulation, technology, data, AI, capital markets, digital economy, M&A, fintech, financial distress, restructuring and insolvency.
We understand your business
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Our works, awards & rankings
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News Ashurst advises HSBC on its first digitally native corporate bond offering on HSBC Orion platform
30 Sep 2024
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News Ashurst wins Innovation in Improving Client Experience at FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2024
13 Sep 2024
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News Ashurst advises HSBC as the platform provider to HKMA on the world's first multi-currency digital bond offering
08 Feb 2024
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News Ashurst wins Banking and Finance Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2023
30 Nov 2023
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News Ashurst wins Innovative Lawyers in Digital Assets and Blockchain Award at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2023
22 Sep 2023
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