REGULATORY COMPLIANCE & OTHER SERVICES

We also offer other services in the crypto sphere including:

  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Corporate Structuring & Incorporation
  • Token Launch
  • Contract Drafting
  • Policy & Research

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Companies working in Blockchain and cryptocurrency-related domains presently operate in a dynamic sphere of regulatory uncertainty which requires them to always be on their toes. In addition to the cryptocurrency-specific regulations, licencing and regulatory requirements under different areas of law including corporate laws, taxation, banking and payment regulations, foreign exchange management etc. may apply to crypto projects depending on the business activities of the projects. Compliance obligations under different statutes can be different in nature and may broadly be categorized into compliances related to registration or licence, maintenance of record/register, filing or forms/returns, deposit of recurring fees, display requirements, technical security standards or procedural compliances.

Services include:

  • Advisory and support in obtaining a regulatory licence, approval and registration before various regulatory authorities
  • Project review and advisory on regulatory compliance requirements
  • Providing a list of applicable regulatory compliances and implementing operational control mechanisms to ensure compliance
  • Liaising with regulatory authorities
  • Drafting and filing applications and forms with regulatory authorities
  • Representation before different regulatory authorities

CORPORATE STRUCTURING & INCORPORATION

From a regulatory perspective, designing the corporate structure of a blockchain-based startup is arguably the most important preliminary step. The number of entities required and their functional interaction must be delineated carefully, depending on the nature of their business offerings, technical operations, customer interactions and tax implications.

Not only do we advise blockchain-based projects on their incorporation strategies (in sectors ranging from web3, NFTs and DeFi), but we also set up bespoke structures for them in light of applicable laws. Specifically, the latter include regulations on digital assets, securities, banking and payment systems and taxation, among others. We work closely with partner counsels and consultants from various jurisdictions to ensure a smooth and expeditious incorporation process. Some of the specific jurisdictions we focus on include Dubai, Singapore, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, Saint Vincent and Grenadines (SVG), the USA (Delaware & Wyoming), Malta and Switzerland.

Services include:

  • Advice on local and international corporate structuring; analysis of regulatory and licensing requirements in various jurisdictions as applicable to the project
  • Drafting and advice on Inter-Company agreements to assess, allocate and mitigate business and regulatory risks
  • Advice on regulatory approvals, licencing and compliances under applicable laws
  • Advice on the restructuring of the corporate entity(ies) and associated Mergers and acquisitions and other transactions
  • Liasoning and support in the incorporation of the entity in foreign jurisdictions

TOKEN LAUNCH

Many cryptocurrency projects involve issuing a native cryptocurrency or token which helps them raise funds for further growth, development or maintenance of the network/project/ecosystem. The platform and manner adopted to launch the cryptocurrency tokens have undergone significant changes compared to the initial trend that started in 2016 – 17.

Initial Coin Offerings (ICO) happened to be the most popular choice to raise funds initially, however, other methods including Initial DEX Offering (IDO) and Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) are also being frequently opted now by the crypto projects. Many of the DeFi platforms which encourage buyers of the tokens to contribute to the liquidity pool of the protocol choose to sell tokens through Initial Liquidity Offering (ILO).

ICOs and other forms of Token sale are now regulated in many jurisdictions and certain cryptocurrency tokens having characteristics of securities may trigger additional registration approval requirements. In a few jurisdictions like the USA, ICO is to be mandatorily registered before being offered to the public. There are also many jurisdictions where the launch of Tokens through ICO / IDO / IEO / ILO / INO are unregulated as there are no specific regulations in this regard; however, registration and certain compliances under securities and under laws may get triggered depending on the functions, utility and characteristics of the particular token.

Services include:

  • Legal review and analysis of token and its possible characterisation
  • Advisory services relating to appropriate corporate structuring and incorporation of the token-issuing entity
  • Documentation and liaisoning with centralised and decentralized exchanges for token listing
  • Security analysis and tokenomics review

CONTRACT DRAFTING

Juristically speaking, contracts are the lifeblood of any business. Crypto startups are no different. Right from incorporation they need to enter into a multitude of agreements for internal as well as external functioning. They must enter into contractual relations both with natural persons (employees, partners, directors, promoters etc.) as well as juristic entities (third parties, service providers, creditors, customers etc.) in order to clarify their rights and obligations in light of applicable laws.

Well-designed contracts must strike a delicate balance between long-term goals and day-to-day conveniences. They must not only foresee, and guard against, extant legal risks, but also have a keen eye on emerging regulatory developments in the space.

Services include:

  • Simple Agreement for Future Tokens (SAFT)
  • Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE)
  • Employment Agreement
  • Master Services Agreement (MSA)
  • Consultancy Agreement
  • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
  • Investment Agreement
  • Share Purchase Agreement (SPA)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

POLICY & RESEARCH

It is now a truism that both institutions and governments are realising the economic efficiency as well as the ethical promise of blockchain technologies. As a result, the latter has seen a remarkable rise in adoption over the last few years, spurred on by a post-pandemic reality in which the digital realm has become the primary medium for all forms of intersubjective interactions. This shift has raised lots of new challenges for policymakers in diverse domains. From the digital divide to the great reset, questions of equality, justice, efficiency and access in the realm of technology have become pivotal questions for business leaders and statespersons across the world.

At Crypto Legal, we pay close attention to this developing landscape and provide well-grounded opinions on complex policy questions. In this endeavour, we work closely with academic partners, think tanks and advocacy groups.

Services Include:

  • Sector-specific research
  • Blockchain use-cases and advocacy
  • Policy research and advocacy
  • Social impact assessments
  • Stakeholder analysis
  • Law & policy analysis

Let us help you!

If you need any help, please feel free to contact us. We will get back to you within 1 business day.

Contact:

+44 7736 774605
[email protected] Mon – Fri 09:00-17:00

All communications from Crypto Legal will always originate from an email address ending in @cryptolegal.uk.
This is default text for notification bar