Compliance Support for Cryptoasset businesses
The regulatory environment for Cryptoassets and Digital Assets globally is complex, and ever evolving. Most major jurisdictions are transitioning from frameworks focussed on the prevention of Financial Crime, to more holistic regulatory regimes aligned to those applicable in traditional financial services.
We support Cryptocurrency exchanges, Digital Assets exchanges and intermediaries active in cryptoassets as they seek to maintain compliance with this complex regulatory picture. This includes helping firms to seek authorisation or licensing, establishing comprehensive compliance frameworks, and supporting remediation when things go wrong.
United Kingdom
The UK is transitioning to a holistic regime for the regulation of crytpoassets in 2026, replacing the initial regime focussed on prevention of Financial Crime.
In addition, firms who operate in Digital Assets which are securities, or derivatives on cryptocurrencies, may already have to comply with the provisions arising from MiFID II.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE has created an independent regulator, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, for exchanges and intermediaries active in cryptoassets. However, firms based in the DIFC and subject to the regulation of the DFSA, must follow a different set of rules.
Singapore
Singapore regulates crytpoasset exchanges and intermediaries under its payments service regulation, as Digital Payment Toke Service Providers. Many firms have either been licensed under the regime, or are currently grandfathered and awaiting licensing.
European Union
The EU has transitioned to a dedicated framework for cryptoasets, the Market in Crypto-assets Regulation (or MiCA).
Firms active in cryptoassets must be licensed, and comply with complex ongoing compliance requirements. Similar to the UK, Digital Assets which are securities and derivatives on cryptoassets may also be regulated under MiFID II.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong has an established regime for Virtual Assets Service Providers, i.e. those providing exchange and wallet-related services, and is in the process of licensing Stablecoin providers. In addition, a regime for the regulation of intermediaries is in the process of implementation.
Compliance health checks
We can review your compliance framework and give our view on whether your arrangements meet regulatory requirements and expectations in each jurisdiction in which you operate, and how you compare to your peers. We can review your policies and procedures, sample files, and speak to your staff, and then advise you on whether we see any compliance risks or issues and how these can be addressed.