ON DEMAND: Bulls, Bears & Behind Bars – An update on the latest regulatory & financial crime developments in digital assets

Chengyi heads APAC public policy for Chainalysis. Prior to Chainalysis, Chengyi spent over a decade at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, holding roles in financial regulation and supervision, financial sector development, and central banking. She also served as the Advisor to the Executive Director for Southeast Asia at the International Monetary Fund from 2017 to 2019.

Adam is General Counsel for Swyftx, a leading Australian cryptocurrency trading platform with almost 700,000 Australian customers. In his role, Adam oversees Swyftx’s legal, public policy, risk, compliance and governance practices. As a leading in-house crypto lawyer, Adam contributes regularly to the policy discourse on crypto in Australia.

Michael advises companies dealing with Digital Law: the intersection of cutting-edge technology, automation and innovation.  As a former software developer, Michael has a rare combination of technical, regulatory and legal skills which he leverages to assist his clients.

Michael works with Fintech, Regtech, Blockchain, digital asset projects from enterprise level deployments bringing technology to existing business models, scale-ups, start-up ventures, cryptocurrency payment providers, crypto-asset exchanges, RegTech, InsurTech, PropTech and compliance for other technology deployments.

Since founding and exiting a successful IT business in the early 2000s, Michael has maintained an active involvement in software development.  He is knowledgeable in the workings of (and legal issues surrounding) digital currencies and digital assets, blockchain projects, smart contract issues as well as FinTech and RegTech projects.

This technical knowledge coupled with a highly commercial approach enables Michael to add real value to his client’s business in front and back-end advice. Michael delivers targeted advice for the whole of life software, start-up (including fundraising) and project lifecycle including design and analysis, commercial contracts including shareholder, advisory, supply and software agreements, financial services regulation including project analysis, compliance as well as fundraising documentation and ongoing support.

Michael regularly publishes on technology and Blockchain and technology matters and is a sought-after speaker on regulatory issues facing smart contract, Blockchain and technology adoption, appearing both internationally (New York, San Francisco and Singapore) and in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane) and recently appearing before the Australian Senate Inquiry into FinTech and RegTech.  He has been ranked Band 1 in FinTech by the prestigious Chambers & Partners since 2019 and serves on the Board of Blockchain Australia and the Board of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce.

Steven advises on financial services and fintech, with a particular focus on digital assets regulation and disputes. Steven represents leading financial institutions, fintechs, digital currency exchanges, startups, venture capital and funds.  He has 14 years’ experience as a start-up founder and litigation specialist. Steven has a rare combination of commercial, legal and entrepreneurial skills. He adopts a highly commercial approach and is focused on helping clients to navigate regulatory complexity and achieve commercial outcomes.

Steven has experience with commercial contracts, corporate law, disputes, financial services and cryptocurrency regulation, regulatory investigations, and enforcement. He has advised on fraud investigations, insider trading, market manipulation, cyber frauds and asset recovery, IP theft, mis-selling, governance and directors’ duties, AML/CTF and sanctions issue. His experience includes advising on regulatory investigations involving ASIC as well as the DOJ, CFTC, MAS, HKMA, SFC and the FCA. He has acted on litigation before the UK Supreme Court and in the Hong Kong and Australian Courts. Steven also advises on arbitration and has experience in relation to international arbitration, investment treaty disputes, interim relief and enforcement of arbitral awards.

Steven trained at a Magic Circle law firm in London and worked for one of Australia’s leading disputes practices prior to joining Piper Alderman. His previous experience includes:

• cyber-frauds, freezing injunctions, disclosure orders and asset recovery proceedings;
• a multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigation involving alleged manipulation of foreign exchange markets;
• a regulatory investigation involving a fintech company concerning its marketing representations and collections practices;
• regulatory investigations and disputes relating to the handling of client securities;
• shareholder disputes involving allegations of oppression and breaches of directors’ duties;
• a contractual interpretation dispute before the UK Supreme Court;
• an internal investigation involving alleged fraud by a senior employee;
• disputes relating to the alleged theft of proprietary information; and
• various complex securities and insolvency disputes arising from the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

Steven also has experience as a start-up founder and previously ran a Delaware incorporated Public Benefit Corporation. Steven is admitted and has practised in Australia, Hong Kong and England & Wales.