FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies - Switzerland
What the team is known for
Schellenberg Wittmer brings together lawyers from its banking and finance, corporate and commercial, TMT and tax practice groups to advise its FinTech clients. This cross-disciplinary team assists on a wide range of transactional mandates, as well as ICO and STO, anti-money laundering and data protection matters for a range of crypto-based clients.
Strengths
"We really liked Schellenberg's approach and their connections."
"They always provided a fast turnaround."
Work highlights
Schellenberg Wittmer advised Alpian SA on regulatory and contractual matters concerning its digital financial services offering.
Notable practitioners
Olivier Favre advises FinTech clients on regulatory and transactional matters. His clients range from established financial institutions and insurance companies to technology businesses, start-ups and industry associations. "Oliver Favre has a really thoughtful manner of how he approaches everything and he really understands what we're trying to achieve."
Caroline Clemetson is a partner in the firm's banking and finance group and works across the firm's offices in Zürich and Geneva. She is an expert in financial regulatory matters and advises clients on a wide range of areas, including collective investment schemes, derivatives and asset management. She also assists with FINMA licensing applications for new payments and banking institutions. "Caroline Clemetson is very efficient and extremely responsive."
Tarek Houdrouge is co-lead of the firm's banking and finance team and is also involved in M&A and corporate matters. His work includes assisting with regulatory matters and advising clients on investments in FinTech businesses. He also increasingly advises on the distribution of financial products in cryptocurrency and the set-up of crypto-exchanges. "Tarek Houdrouge knows the industry very well. His input is always valuable in terms of strategy and decision-making, which is quite unique. He is a very hard-working and pragmatic lawyer, an outstanding smart thinker and he is to the point in his legal analysis."
