We share your passion for innovation in financial services through the use of technology. Together let’s shape the future of FinTech.
Our financial services practice is at the forefront of FinTech and blockchain, virtual asset, cryptocurrency, and VASP businesses in New Zealand.
Whether you are a start-up launching a new project or want to expand your current offering, we can help you achieve your goals. Our knowledge of the legal regulation, technology, structuring, and commercial factors at play in the New Zealand FinTech sector is unparalleled.
We are proud to work with numerous local and global FinTechs, including those providing investment platforms, peer to peer lending, equity crowdfunding, buy-now-pay-later, payments, and other digital services. We provide market leading advice on cryptocurrencies, digital tokens and coins, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), virtual assets (crypto/ Web3), DeFi, and blockchain projects.
We can help with:
In a fast-paced space like FinTech, you need advisers who understand your industry. We have been supporting New Zealand’s FinTech from the start, helping develop the first NZD stablecoin “NZDs”, and acting for Sharesies since its inception.
We work closely with the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) and others on the regulation of coins, tokens, schemes, and exchanges under New Zealand law. Partner Jeremy Muir is one of two special advisers to the Finance & Expenditure Select Committee enquiry on cryptocurrencies, and our team are all actively involved in the start-up and crypto communities.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ impressive client roster includes New Zealand’s leading financial services entities including four of the five largest retail fund managers and the investment management arms of major banks. It is increasingly sought after by international institutions seeking to enter the New Zealand market with innovative financial products and services. It is also increasingly advising on the developing fintech and cryptocurrency spaces advising an exporter of digital token/coin services, and a number of start-ups.
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022
Acting for Sharesies since its inception in the first FinTech Accelerator programme, through projects including development of its fractional investment model, NZX market participant status and introduction of Australian and US equities.
Acting for other online platforms for investment in shares (including equity crowdfunding), debt (including P2P lending), derivatives and property, including Equitise, Pledgeme, Squirrel, Southern Cross Finance, Jasper, Black Bull, Stake, eToro, and others.
Acting for many New Zealand and overseas clients, including (publicly) Techemy, Techemynt, Brave New Coin, Dasset, Centrality, Altered State Machine, Sylo, TrackBack, Trust Alliance NZ, Toha, Glorious Digital, Cryptovoxels, 0xNodes, Easy Crypto, Zap, FreeDAO and others, including leading global exchanges and platform providers. This has included securities law and AML/CFT advice, tax structuring, token sales (including SAFTs, ICOs, IDOs, IEOs), new product development (e.g., the NZDs stablecoin), blockchain consortia formation, and environmental/carbon projects.
Advising a leading cryptocurrency exchange on all aspects of their business, including compliance with New Zealand financial services and AML/CFT law requirements.
Advising a blockchain incubator on its engagement with regulators in relation to the new Virtual Asset Service Providers’ AML/CFT regime and its application to utility tokens.
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