PwC’s legal services for FinTech, blockchain and digital assets

Delivering the legal edge to innovative FinTech and crypto projects.

Transforming regulatory challenges into competitive advantages

While the convergence of regulation, business, and technology in the financial industry evermore increases, we at PwC combine our expertise to transform this complexity into competitive advantages for our clients.

Experienced, multidisciplinary team

The FinTech, blockchain and digital assets legal team combines various backgrounds and interdisciplinary competencies. The team comprises specialists in financial markets regulation as well as regulatory supervision, and is excellently acquainted with the Swiss FinTech and blockchain industries. 

Our services

PwC’s FinTech, blockchain and digital assets legal services include regulatory guidance and legal advice for established financial institutions and start-ups alike. We help them successfully navigate through the legal and regulatory challenges that blockchain related business models are facing.

Our team has successfully advised groundbreaking projects and reputable financial institutions in the field of blockchain technologies, including native protocols, banking services, custody solutions, ICOs/STOs, NFT issuance, staking of cryptocurrencies, investment structures and dedicated vehicles, as well as protocol governance. 


Regulatory advisory and structuring

We support you in finding the right setup for your business and aligning it with the legal and regulatory requirements

Legal and compliance

We help you design and implement legal frameworks and compliance processes

Rulings

We help you obtain rulings, such as no-action letters, from relevant authorities

Outsourcing

We advise you on outsourcing matters and draft relevant documentation and contracts

Tax

We aware of the potential tax implications for your company and employees and can help you negotiate the challenges. You can find our tax dedicated offerings here

IP

We advise on how to best protect your inellectual property within a decentralized environment

Licensing projects

We help you prepare your licensing application and support you in the licensing and implementation process

AML & KYC

We provide guidance on drafting and implementing AML and KYC documentation and procedures

Agreements and documentations

We draft agreements and other legal documentation for you, e.g. terms and conditions or disclaimers

Cross-border business

We provide guidance on cross-border activities and help you mitigate cross-border risks

Governance

We assist you implementing the setup most suited to your porject and foster adoption within your community

Blockchain assurance

We can offer blockchain audit services for your products, platforms and cryptocurrencies. Learn more about our dedicated offering here

We combine expertise from different backgrounds and understand your business model, whether you are coming from traditional or digital financial services.

Regulatory assessment of business activities and products

  • Assessment of Fintech business model regarding the application of and compliance with Swiss financial market laws (e.g. licensing obligations)
  • Legal advice on Digital Assets and Crypto products, such as funds or other financial instruments

Registration or Licensing, if required

  • Legal advice for the registration of the company with a self-regulatory organization (SRO) for AML purposes
  • Legal advice for the FINMA-licensing (any type of license), including representation towards FINMA
  • Legal advice for the licensing in Liechtenstein (any type of license)
  • Our experience in the Fintech/Digital Assets space ranges from SRO registrations up to complex banking licensing projects 

Introduction of Digital Assets offerings with banks and other financial institutions

  • Development and implementation of strategies to include crypto-assets and new service offerings by banks, securities firm, asset and fund managers and other financial intermediaries
  • Support in designing your operating model and set up
  • Introduction to reliable financial and technical partners with established track-record
  • Regulatory support with the authorities relating to the new offering

Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Security Token Offerings (STO)

  • Legal advice on the structure and performance of ICOs and STOs out of Switzerland or Liechtenstein
  • Compliance advisory services for the cross-border distribution of utility, payment and security tokens

Due Diligences (buy and sell side)

  • Assessment of target companies
  • Due diligence process (data room, meetings, report)
  • Financial due diligence (one-stop shop approach)

NFT issuance

  • Legal advice on the structure and performance of the sale
  • IP assessment and protection

Digital financial products and instruments

  • Structuring of various crypto-related financial products (funds, ETP, AMC, tracker certificates)
  • Ensuring compliance with the relevant provisions in the respective jurisdictions

Your benefits

  • One-stop shop
  • Holistic and integrated approach
  • Tailor-made solutions
  • Combined expertise in traditional banking and FinTech business models
  • Interdisciplinary know-how

The Swiss fintech licence - a brief introduction

Financial innovation is more important than ever! With the FinTech licence, the Swiss legislator provides a licence category for progressive business models. In our brochure on the FinTech licence we give you an overview and summarise the most important points for you.

Download PDF


You might also be interested in the following

Swiss DLT law: New regulations bring new opportunities
Bitcoin and NFTs in the digital economy 

Read article

(only available in German)

Swiss DTL-Law 

Read article

(only available in German)

Annual Global Crypto Hedge Fund Report 2021

Read article

5th ICO / STO Report

Download PDF
Billionaires Insights 2020

Download PDF
Transparency in corporate matters 

Download PDF

Blockchain and Crypto Hub 

Visit the page

Contact our legal experts

Looking for legal support with any aspect of banking, FinTech or blockchain? We would be delighted to hear from you.

https://pages.pwc.ch/core-contact-page?form_id=7014I0000006rV1QAI&embed=true