Profile
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.
Expertise
Recognition
‘They are a truly excellent fintech team. Steven Pettigrove is a true expert in his field.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory, 2024 edition
‘Steven Pettigrove is very level headed and deep in the technology. He is able to give commercial advice that we trust because he actually understands what the big picture is and how Ethereum works.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory, 2024 edition
Accolades
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Recommended for Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory – since 2023 edition
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Rising Star for Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory – 2024 edition
Recent deals and media coverage
- Piper Alderman promotes three to partner – Australasian Lawyer, 15 February 2024
- VIDEO: What’s the latest with NFTs? – Lawyers Weekly, 21 August 2022
Memberships
Insights
11 October 2024
Blockchain Bites: FTX bankruptcy plan approved, UK Court rules that USDT is property, Crypto.com sues...
Read More09 October 2024
Policing the digital economy: Australia proposes sweeping scam prevention obligations
Read More04 October 2024
Blockchain Bites: Taking notes: PRC Minister says China should study crypto, FTX reorganisation secures major...
Read More27 September 2024
Blockchain Bites: Crypto in limbo as ASIC calls for licensing obligations on tokens?, Policing the...
Read More20 September 2024
Blockchain Bites: RBA announces strategic commitment to wholesale CBDC work, Australian misinformation bill stirs free...
Read More13 September 2024
Blockchain Bites: Australia introduces privacy law reforms, UK to preserve property rights in digital assets,...
Read More06 September 2024
Blockchain Bites: AI agents exchange tokens in possible Crypto x AI first, SEC weighs in...
Read More30 August 2024
Blockchain Bites: Kraken margin product caught in regulatory net, China updates AML guidance to cover...
Read More23 August 2024
Blockchain Bites: ASIC updates strategic priorities, Mastercard offers self-custody debit card as Apple opens NFC...
Read More16 August 2024
Blockchain Bites: Clash of titans: ASIC sues ASX, ATO rules on Digital Surge creditor claims,...
Read More09 August 2024
Blockchain Bites: Crypto crime as tech entrepreneurship, Australia Fights Crypto Scams, Ripple rides on as...
Read More02 August 2024
Blockchain Bites: California DMV goes digital with blockchain titles, SEC to amend Binance complaint, Federal...
Read More26 July 2024
Blockchain Bites: SEC approves Ethereum ETFs, UK Law Commission publishes DAO paper, ASIC deflates pump...
Read More19 July 2024
Blockchain Bites: Celsius files over 2,000 clawback actions, Can blockchain revolutionise public goods funding? SEAL...
Read More12 July 2024
Blockchain Bites: Appeal in yield product case may lead to regulatory clarity, Federal Court declares...
Read More08 July 2024
Blockchain 2024: Chambers Global Practice Guide Publication | Trends and Developments
Read More08 July 2024
Blockchain 2024: Chambers Global Practice Guide Publication | Law and Practice
Read More05 July 2024
Blockchain Bites: Aussie Judge argues crypto is property, Legal uncertainty looms over digital wallets, US...
Read More28 June 2024
Blockchain Bites: Money laundering in the metaverse, Terraform settles for USD$4.5bn over Luna implosion, Mitigating...
Read More21 June 2024
Blockchain Bites: Bitcoin ETFs growing on Australian markets, ASIC appeals Block Earner penalty decision, Australian...
Read More14 June 2024
Blockchain Bites: Blockchain Australia becomes DECA, Australia bans crypto payments to gambling sites, Hong Kong...
Read More07 June 2024
Blockchain Bites: Federal Court: Block Earner dodges the chopping block and ASIC criticised, Dapper Labs...
Read More07 June 2024
Federal Court: Block Earner dodges the chopping block and ASIC criticised for misleading media release
Read More31 May 2024
Blockchain Bites: ASIC targets onshore crypto promoters, Australia issues sanctions advice to Digital Currency Exchanges,...
Read More24 May 2024
Blockchain Bites: SEC greenlights Ether ETFs, Celsius turns up the heat on customer clawbacks, US...
Read More17 May 2024
Blockchain Bites: Digital ID bills passed, Australia’s Budget Allocation for Crypto, Finance Regulation and Tech...
Read More10 May 2024
Blockchain Bites: Federal Court’s decision flips Qoin but clarifies the regulatory perimeter, FTX to make...
Read More03 May 2024
Blockchain Bites: Australia kicks off 2nd consultation on AML/CTF reforms, Binance’s CZ sentenced to serve...
Read More26 April 2024
Blockchain Bites: ASIC doubles down on crypto strategy, US Congress to review bipartisan stablecoin bill,...
Read More19 April 2024
Blockchain Bites: Happy halvening! Bitcoin halving expected Saturday, Security Alliance launches ISAC to combat cyber...
Read More12 April 2024
Blockchain Bites: ASIC appeals Finder decision, Australia scores early success in the war on scams,...
Read More05 April 2024
Blockchain Bites: SBF Sentenced in FTX Fallout, Singapore rolls out new crypto rules, Coinbase to...
Read More28 March 2024
Blockchain Bites: Australia digital IDs to slash scams and crimes, Institutional crypto custody in Australia,...
Read More22 March 2024
Blockchain Bites: ASIC eyes tokenised markets, BlackRock tokenised fund catches meme-coin fever, ATO drops guidance...
Read More15 March 2024
Blockchain Bites: Court finds Earn product is not a debenture, UK Court Rules Australian is...
Read More08 March 2024
Blockchain Bites: SEC obtains judgment in crypto insider dealing case, HK issues new bank guidance...
Read More01 March 2024
Blockchain Bites: Chainalysis finds plunge in illicit flows in annual crypto crime report, US Judge...
Read More23 February 2024
Blockchain Bites: Australia introduces digitally secured statutory declarations, Congress examines crypto’s role in tackling illicit...
Read More16 February 2024
Blockchain Bites: Security Alliance proposes Whitehat Safe Harbor to secure Web3, SEC marks its territory...
Read More09 February 2024
Blockchain Bites: Unpacking the lessons earned from the Block Earner v ASIC judgment, AI deepfakes...
Read More09 February 2024
Access all areas? Unpacking the lessons earned from the Block Earner v ASIC judgment
Read More02 February 2024
Blockchain Bites: Australia sanctions Medibank attacker in first use of cyber powers, Number go up:...
Read More25 January 2024
Blockchain Bites: ALRC pitches Corps Act 2.0, From Baht to Blockchain: Thailand’s SEC embraces tokenisation,...
Read More19 January 2024
Blockchain Bites: Celsius creditors feeling the heat over preference claims, A bridge too far? Cross-chain...
Read More12 January 2024
Blockchain Bites: TLDR: 2024 crypto predictions round-up, US approves first spot Bitcoin ETFs, Full Circle:...
Read More22 December 2023
Blockchain Bites: 52,560 Blocks in Review, IOSCO publishes its final report on DeFi, UK’s Digital...
Read More15 December 2023
Blockchain Bites: Treasury consult to modernise Australia’s payment system, Sony and Microsoft point to NFT...
Read More08 December 2023
Blockchain Bites: Singapore slings new guidance to protect consumers, Austrian bank rolling out retail crypto...
Read More01 December 2023
Blockchain Bites: 29% UK Fund Managers to tokenize in the next 1-5 years, National Anti-Scam...
Read More24 November 2023
Blockchain Bites: Binance strikes US settlement and CZ steps down, Gone but not forgotten: Crypto...
Read More17 November 2023
Blockchain Bites: Disney and Sony embracing a Web3 future, ATO crypto guidance draws attention to...
Read More10 November 2023
Blockchain Bites: UK responds to consultation on crypto-assets regulation, PayPal navigates clashing regulatory approaches, LBRY...
Read More03 November 2023
Blockchain Bites: Guilty as Charged: SBF Convicted On All Counts, What is “fully decentralised”? ESMA...
Read More27 October 2023
Blockchain Bites: A Tokenised Future for Australia’s Financial System? Seize and burn? UK to “destroy”...
Read More20 October 2023
Blockchain Bites: ASIC Chair calls for strong crypto enforcement, JPMorgan chasing the future with tokenised...
Read More13 October 2023
Blockchain Bites: HKEX’s blockchain-based settlement system, Court blocks SEC appeal against Ripple, Elliptic releases Cross-Chain...
Read More06 October 2023
Blockchain Bites: SEC approves first Ethereum Futures ETF, UK to launch Digital Securities Sandbox, Finder...
Read More28 September 2023
Blockchain Bites: JPEX in hot soup as Hong Kong SFC vows to ladle out justice,...
Read More22 September 2023
Blockchain Bites: US Federal Reserve releases paper on tokenisation, Kraken hunted by Australian Regulator, TRM...
Read More15 September 2023
Blockchain Bites: ANZ and Chainlink forging blockchain real world asset strength, Bear market spirit: Latest...
Read More08 September 2023
Blockchain Bites: Fair go mate! Penalties for unfair contract terms coming soon, Senate Report Sinks...
Read More01 September 2023
Blockchain Bites: US Regulation by Enforcement takes a Non Fungible Turn, Grayscale wins Bitcoin ETF...
Read More25 August 2023
Blockchain Bites: UK fixes ‘travel rule’ plans for crypto, Texas Judge’s Testament to Treasury’s Toppling...
Read More18 August 2023
Blockchain Bites: FTX Failure: Reorganisation plan to forge a fresh future? Judge Rakoff rejects Ripple...
Read More11 August 2023
Blockchain Bites: Singapore’s stance: Court declares crypto as clearly property, US Congress’ considering compelling crypto...
Read More04 August 2023
Blockchain Bites: FSB Finalises Global Crypto-Asset Regulatory Framework, SEC sought to squash US crypto with...
Read More28 July 2023
Blockchain Bites: “Eye-catching” WorldCoin scrutinized, CANSEE bill targets AML compliance by DeFi platforms, Digital Assets...
Read More21 July 2023
Blockchain Bites: Ripple effects on Capitol Hill following XRP judgment, Ripple to tokenise real estate...
Read More14 July 2023
Blockchain Bites: A big Ripple in the regulatory waters with judgment finding token is NOT...
Read More11 July 2023
Chambers Global Practice Guides Blockchain 2023 Australia: Law & Practice and Trends & Developments
Read More07 July 2023
Blockchain Bites: ATO drops crypto GST guidance, FTX reports new details of collapse and sets...
Read More30 June 2023
Blockchain Bites: Blockchain Week: Memorable Quotes, Major Banks on Blockchain and Scams, US plans to...
Read More23 June 2023
Blockchain Bites: SWIFT to test-run cross-chain settlement, Wall St giants lay crypto bets, Fake crypto...
Read More16 June 2023
Blockchain Bites: HK “re-banks” crypto, Bank of China issues tokenised notes, SEC still considering Coinbase’s...
Read More09 June 2023
Blockchain Bites: SEC Shoots for Binance, SEC doubles down on Coinbase and gets dealt a...
Read More02 June 2023
Blockchain Bites: Bulls, Bears & Behind Bars, Beijing publishes Internet 3 whitepaper, Bali blocks visitor...
Read More02 June 2023
Senate to report on draft bill on licensing and custody framework for digital assets and...
Read More26 May 2023
Blockchain Bites: Tickets released for 2023 Blockchain Week, Hong Kong SFC publishes crypto guidance, Senate...
Read More19 May 2023
Blockchain Bites: Binance Australia loses PayID and fiat withdrawal, World Bank releases guidance for real...
Read More12 May 2023
Blockchain Bites: What does MiCA mean for crypto intermediaries? SBF files to dismiss charges, IRS...
Read More05 May 2023
Blockchain Bites: Employee convicted in first NFT insider trading case, Mastercard reveals crypto payments solution,...
Read More28 April 2023
Blockchain Bites: FCA speech welcomes Blockchain to Britain, Coinbase sues SEC seeking regulatory clarity, Canadian...
Read More21 April 2023
Blockchain Bites: EU finally approved MiCA, Mastercard Launches Music Pass NFTs, Nike drops NFT collection,...
Read More14 April 2023
Blockchain Bites: FTX reports additional asset recoveries and past control failures, EU approves new AML/CTF...
Read More06 April 2023
Blockchain Bites: Citi: Tokenisation is blockchain’s “killer use case”, CFTC calls crypto ‘commodities’ in Binance...
Read More31 March 2023
Blockchain Bites: Binance US faces ‘regulation by enforcement’, Crypto industry unites over Coinbase Wells Notice,...
Read More24 March 2023
Blockchain Bites: Microsoft offers in-browser digital wallet, FDIC forces Signature bank to drop crypto customers,...
Read More17 March 2023
Blockchain Bites: Circle Stablecoin wobbles on SVB collapse, SVB steps back from the valley edge...
Read More10 March 2023
Blockchain Bites: Grayscale draws sword in ETF battle, UK Court rejects copyright in Bitcoin File...
Read More03 March 2023
Blockchain Bites: CBDC pilot projects announced, Emojis speak louder than words (and may be financial...
Read More24 February 2023
Blockchain Bites: Hong Kong consults on details of crypto licensing regime, SBF faces new charges,...
Read More17 February 2023
Blockchain Bites: First Australian crypto-exchange rescue, Siemens issues bond on blockchain, Paxos forced to park...
Read More10 February 2023
Blockchain Bites: Kraken avoids crack down after SEC settlement, Developers’ duties back on trial with...
Read More03 February 2023
Blockchain Bites: Treasury releases Token Mapping Consultation Paper, UK kicks off crypto consultation, Hong Kong...
Read More27 January 2023
Blockchain Bites: Mango Market’s bitter taste for attacker, Digital Surge rescue delivered, Chinese takeaways in...
Read More20 January 2023
Blockchain Bites: SEC targets Gemini Earn, US Congress creates crypto subcommittee for regulation, BlackRock eyes...
Read More13 January 2023
What’s coming in 2023 in Blockchain?, China to launch NFT marketplace, US Ruling finds crypto-assets...
Read More16 December 2022
Blockchain Bites: Australia to pursue payments and crypto reforms, Australia to incorporate stablecoins into regulatory...
Read More09 December 2022
Blockchain Bites: ASIC Chair briefs Parliament on FTX fallout, Kiwis consult on the future of...
Read More02 December 2022
Blockchain Bites: Senate to review ‘Bitcoin tax’ bill, Tornado Cash prosecution lifts off, SEC sues...
Read More25 November 2022
Blockchain Bites: ASIC sues Block Earner for alleged unlicensed crypto based products, NY Fed Launches...
Read More18 November 2022
Blockchain Bites: Australia promises to regulate crypto, Timeline of FTX’s collapse, JP Morgan completes on-chain...
Read More11 November 2022
Blockchain Bites: Binance pulls out of FTX acquisition, US Court finds ERC-20 tokens security, first...
Read More04 November 2022
Blockchain Bites: Singapore considers retail crypto and stablecoin regulations, Visa potential crypto wallet offering, Debate...
Read More28 October 2022
Blockchain Bites: ASIC targets Qoin in latest crypto enforcement move, Singapore High Court confirms NFTs...
Read More28 October 2022
Do you need a token dealing policy? Managing insider trading, fraud and conflicts risk
Read More21 October 2022
Blockchain Bites: Tornado Cash winds pick up, ASIC target Crypto Target Market Determinations, Cross chain...
Read More14 October 2022
Blockchain Bites: BNB Chain suffers USD$570M exploit, EU extends Russian crypto sanctions, Coinbase secures Singapore...
Read More07 October 2022
Blockchain Bites: USA crypto reports, SEC catches up with the Kardashians, Service by chatbot?, EU...
Read More30 September 2022
Blockchain Bites: CFTC split over OoKi Dao matter, Does the SEC regulate all of Ethereum...
Read More23 September 2022
Blockchain Bites: The path of the righteous man… leads to collaboration??, The R word: Calls...
Read More16 September 2022
Blockchain Bites: The Merge is here, Black Market for Stolen NFTs, ATO (air)drops new guidance,...
Read More09 September 2022
Blockchain Bites: F1 NFTs, AFP form crypto unit, Treasury’s latest consultation on crypto, Celsius crypto...
Read More02 September 2022
Blockchain Bites: Singapore to curb crypto speculation, State Street on the road to tokenisation, Tether...
Read More19 August 2022
Blockchain Bites: Half of ASIC study participants held crypto, A lot at stake with staking,...
Read More12 August 2022
Blockchain Bites: Second bipartisan crypto bill, Tornado cash, RBA’s CBDC announcement, Voyager to return US$270M...
Read More05 August 2022
Blockchain Bites: Burning deadline for Hirst NFT collectors, The Ethereum merge is coming, Santander’s plans...
Read More29 July 2022
Blockchain Bites: Regulation by enforcement, Stablecoins lead regulation race, Barclays sees gold in Copper, SEC...
Read More22 July 2022
Blockchain Bites: Disney’s partnership with Polygon, RBA reserves praise for stablecoins, CFTC cracks down on...
Read More18 July 2022
Blockchain Bites: US Treasury releases responsible crypto regulation framework, US Fed Vice Chair pushes for...
Read More24 June 2022