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The team provides strategic advice on decentralised finance, blockchain, stablecoin projects, L1s, DAOs, and other Web3 projects, including NFTs and all other types of digital token issuances. We excel in assisting investment managers to set up funds targeting digital assets and fintech companies, including the integration of foundational blockchain infrastructure into their offering.
In the regulatory domain, we offer meticulous reviews of regulatory business plans and guidance on structuring digital asset products, including advice on investment businesses, financing, and money services, all while addressing AML/CFT/PF concerns.
On the contentious side, our litigation lawyers expertly handle disputes related to cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and digital assets. We specialise in crypto asset tracing, recovery, and obtaining freezing injunctions, and disclosure orders.
Operating primarily within the highly active jurisdictions of the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands, we leverage our deep understanding and widespread experience of the intricacies of token issuances, DAOs and other digital asset projects. This allows us to provide innovative, quick, and practical solutions, whether tracing assets through complex blockchain analysis or navigating legal frameworks with help from law enforcement. We also work on projects within all of our other jurisdictions and can also project manage teams based in other locations. We listen to our clients needs and find the most appropriate solution for them, wherever that might be.
At Harneys, we are committed to being at the forefront of the digital assets and blockchain industry having embraced it over a decade ago. Our integrated approach across all of our offices ensures that clients receive a comprehensive and seamless service that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of the digital world, wherever the team might be physically located. Whether you are launching a new project, navigating regulatory complexities, or integrating blockchain technology, our team provides the insights and legal expertise necessary for success.
Our clients—innovative leaders in finance and technology—require more than just legal advice; they seek a partner who understands the law, the technology, and the transformative potential of blockchain technology, web3, crypto, and digital assets.
Experience the cutting-edge expertise of the Harneys Digital Assets & Blockchain team today. If you’re seeking strategic guidance or navigating disputes in the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and blockchain technology, our experts are here to help. Contact a team member or fill out our form to secure your digital assets and elevate your projects to new heights.
Services offered
- Digital asset focused funds: Our global team has been structuring investment funds in this space since 2015 and we believe we have launched more than any other offshore law firm. We pride ourselves on a deep understanding of the intricacies of this novel asset class and bespoke investment strategies.
- Corporate structuring: We provide expert advice on the formation and governance of corporate entities designed for digital asset ventures, ensuring a robust legal framework that supports innovation and growth.
- Crisis management: We provide advisory services on crisis management and response for the myriad of offshore structures that touch digital assets, including DAOs, helping our clients to navigate challenges and maintain operational stability.
- Crypto asset tracing and recovery: We specialise in crypto asset tracing, recovery, and obtaining freezing injunctions and disclosure orders.
- DAO and foundation formation: We offer specialised guidance in the formation and structuring of DAOs, including the use of Cayman foundation companies and BVI token issuers, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Regulatory compliance: We help businesses across the global blockchain arena understand and comply with the regulatory landscape, mitigating risks and facilitating seamless operations in the digital economy.
- Token offerings and transactions: We provide legal expertise in structuring and executing the issuance of tokens, that have been a mainstay of our global digital assets practice since 2017. Our global team provides not only legal support for token offerings and other cryptocurrency transactions, we help our clients navigate the complexities of local and international regulations, working with genuine expertise both inside and outside our firm and across the globe.
Track record & expertise
- Acting as BVI counsel on the largest initial coin offering in the market to date, raising US$1.7 billion.
- Acting as Cayman Islands counsel to Finfront and Bitfufu, a Singapore-based crypto mining platform, on Bitfufu’s de-SPAC business combination with blank-check company Arisz Acquisition Corp. Following completion, the listed company commenced trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market.
- Acting as Cayman Islands counsel to HashKey Capital, a global asset manager specialising in blockchain and crypto, on the successful US$500 million closing of its third fund.
- Acting as Cayman Islands counsel to Maple Finance in connection with the establishment of the Maple Foundation, a Cayman Islands exempted foundation company, to act as the enforcer vehicle in connection with loans to corporate borrowers from decentralised lending pools.
- Acting as external general counsel for several high-profile projects within the cryptocurrency space.
- Advising 3iQ on the formation of a Cayman SPC to be a fund platform for the first firm in Canada to issue a Bitcoin Exchange-traded fund.
- Advising a Brazilian investment firm on the establishment of regulated and unregulated funds. We have a relationship with both the US and Brazilian asset manager vehicles of the Brazilian asset management company listed on Nasdaq, which has a market capitalisation of US$19.5 billion.
- Advising and implementing restructuring projects for high-profile protocols.
- Advising Blockasset on the launch of their sports star NFT collections featuring sports stars such as Wayne Rooney, Mike Bisping, Muhammad Ali, Alexander Ovechkin, and Jonah Lomu. The NFT release, labelled the “Legends” collection, features generative art of each of the legendary athlete.
- Advising DAOs, ranging from governance, structuring and restructuring, token issuances, airdrops, grants, security policies, service agreements, day-to-day operational advice, and general transactional support.
- Advising on and implementing compliant decentralised finance structures.
- Advising on contractual disputes.
- Advising on distressed “asset”/crypto situations.
- Advising on fraud and misrepresentation.
- Advising on the launch of a US$500 million private equity fund that will invest in seed and early stage companies in India, Southeast Asia, as well as in the Middle East and Africa, and in crypto related assets.
- Advising the founder of one of China’s largest crypto hedge funds and venture capital funds on the formation of an open-ended fund structured as a segregated portfolio company.
- Advisory roles, ranging from startups and pre-seed to post-raise clients.
- Structuring portfolio projects in consultation with leading investment funds.
Deals and awards
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Global head of practice
Team members
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