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Digital Currency + Blockchain Technology

The sudden and rapid rise of Bitcoin, Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies over the past several years, coupled with the potential applications of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies across virtually all industries, has generated a wave of innovation, disruptive businesses and a modern digital economy. With this explosive growth, new legal and regulatory issues in these areas are cropping up every day. Goodwin’s technical expertise, geographic footprint in key industry markets, and depth of experience allows us to offer unprecedented service to help our clients capitalize on opportunities and meet the challenges of this evolving industry.

NOT THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCKCHAIN

Our Digital Currency and Blockchain Technology practice, established in January 2015, when most people were just beginning to hear the word “Blockchain,” is supported by a well-established, global team of subject-matter experts highly regarded across areas affecting digital currencies including company formation and financing, public securities laws, SEC, FinCEN, DOJ, FINRA, Broker-Dealer, CFTF and state regulations, intellectual property, fund formation, government investigations and enforcement, token fundraising and other alternative securities offering options (i.e. Reg A+, Reg D/506(c), Reg S, Equity Crowdfunding).

Our recent experience includes:

  • Represented Blockfolio, a cryptocurrency management portfolio, in Series Seed investment
  • Represented a digital currency company in the first ever digital currency enforcement action by FinCEN, and a related DOJ settlement
  • Representing Coinbase, a major digital asset exchange company, in litigation proceedings related to its refusal to comply with an IRS action seeking customer information for hundreds of thousands of users
  • Represented a venture capital firm in a seed investment in an international money transfer company that uses Bitcoin and mobile wallets for receiving remittances from abroad
  • Represented Circle, a mobile-payments firm built on blockchain technology and crypto assets, in its acquisition of Poloniex, a leading token exchange platform
  • Advised a Bitcoin platform on licensing its technology and other intellectual property to another market participant
  • Represented Digital Currency Group, a venture capital firm focused on investments in the digital currency and blockchain industries, in its acquisition of industry media-powerhouse CoinDesk
  • Advised a venture capital firm in a Series A investment in a bitcoin wallet company
  • Represented Sand Hill Exchange in responding to an SEC enforcement action relating to derivative contracts and Bitcoin
  • Advising clients on matters involving Bitcoin ATMs
  • Representing Social Reality, Inc., a NASDAQ-listed public company, on its proposed blockchain platform
  • Advising digital currency exchanges on state and FinCEN registrations
  • Representing the Tezos Foundation, a blockchain-based platform for decentralized apps and smart contracts, in regulatory and litigation matters
  • Representing client seeking a “No Action” determination from SEC in regards to new cryptocurrency
  • Represented Xapo, a Bitcoin platform that allows debit card use for Bitcoin withdrawals and provides a secure vault of institutional investors to store Bitcoin, in a $20 million financing
  • Advising clients on fund formation for crypto-focused venture, private equity and hedge funds, and for funds investing in cryptocurrencies and token sales

Publications

Blog
in Digital Currency Perspectives
A Second Federal Court Decides Virtual Currencies are Commodities Subject to Federal Regulation
October 12, 2018
Blog
in Digital Currency Perspectives
Goodwin’s Rein, Riley & Tran Publish Article on Blockchain in World Intellectual Property Review
September 07, 2018
Blog
in Digital Currency Perspectives
The National Law Journal Names Goodwin’s Mitzi Chang + Grant Fondo 2018 Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazers
September 05, 2018
Blog
in Digital Currency Perspectives
FinCEN Director Addresses Bureau’s Approach to Digital Currency and Financial Innovation
August 29, 2018
View More

News

The National Law Journal Names Partners Grant Fondo and Mitzi Chang its Inaugural Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and FinTech Trailblazers
View More
RECOGNITION: 4 Security Token Structures and the Lawyers to Help You Execute Them (Bankless Times)
View More
BYLINE: 6 Things You Need to Know About Insuring Cryptocurrency (IA Magazine)
View More
VIDEO: A Deeper Look at Taxing Cryptocurrency and Regulating ICOs (SiliconANGLE)
View More
View More News

Contacts

View Bio

Grant P. Fondo

California Litigation Leader
Partner
Email +1 650 752 3236 Silicon Valley
View Bio

Mitzi Chang

Partner
Email +1 415 733 6017 San Francisco
View Bio

Mike Whalen

Partner
Email +1 202 346 4315 Washington, DC
Meet the Team
Related Practices

Advisory Services

The financial industry is operating in a complex and challenging regulatory environment with the cost of compliance rising, greater implications of big data and technology, heightened cybersecurity measures, and globalization requiring more comprehensive oversight. It is important now more than ever for law firms to possess sophisticated regulatory capabilities and in-depth understanding of the financial markets. Goodwin has its finger on the pulse of regulatory and compliance developments and is uniquely positioned to address the cutting-edge issues that can maximize business opportunities as well as better manage and mitigate risk.

Services that make up our Financial Industry Advisory services include both U.S. and non-U.S. counseling on matters relating to bank and consumer finance regulations, broker-dealer regulation, corporate governance, derivatives, ERISA, executive compensation and employment, False Claims Act, FCPA, finance, government and internal investigations, intellectual property, Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, privacy and cybersecurity, private investment funds regulation, public securities, restructuring, succession planning and liquidity strategies, tax, trade regulation, trusts and estates and enforcement actions.

Read More

Crowdfunding

Read More

FinTech

The financial services industry is experiencing an unprecedented technology revolution. Recent studies predict that worldwide IT spending for financial services will reach $500 billion before decade’s end, and FinTech investment has tripled globally since 2008.
 
The increased complexity of financial products, stringent oversight and regulation, and the need to improve profitability and streamline processes are driving financial institutions and financial services participants to deploy a growing range of finance-related software. As one of the only law firms with market-leading technology and financial institutions practices, Goodwin has been advising clients in the FinTech sector for over a decade and has extensive experience working with both established and emerging businesses in virtually all market segments.
Read More

Government Investigations + Enforcement

For many companies, government investigations and enforcement actions are an unfortunate reality in today’s world. How you respond to and manage these matters can help to mitigate disruption and keep your business on track, and you need a partner who is intimately familiar with navigating these murky waters. Goodwin has extensive experience responding to government investigations, defending enforcement actions, and managing administrative, criminal, and private proceedings. We represent our companies, directors and audit committees in investigations relating to securities fraud, the FCPA, the False Claims Act, healthcare fraud, whistleblower allegations and alleged violations of financial lending regulations. And in the event an enforcement action proceeds, we advocate for our clients before the government on a daily basis, responding to investigation requests, negotiating the resolution of enforcement actions and advocating for our clients before a wide range of federal and state agencies, including the SEC, DOJ, CFPB, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and state attorneys general.
Read More

Hedge Funds

Hedge fund markets are facing extraordinary challenges, including increased competition and a changing global regulatory environment. With extensive experience and resources in this industry, we help our hedge fund clients find opportunities, capitalize on them and provide better service to their investors.

We offer interdisciplinary expertise and an understanding of the “big picture” – which is critical for clients who offer their investors a wide ra

Read More

New Company Formation

Protect your company’s potential by starting off on the right foot. Goodwin’s full-service team advises on company formation and growth matters including incorporation, founders agreements, venture financing, intellectual property, licensing, employee contracts, benefits and beyond. We represent over 1,200 emerging companies and 200 venture capital and private equity firms. This extensive company and investor client base allows us to leverage relationships and deep market knowledge on behalf of our clients.
Read More

Technology

As a growing technology company, your prospects are exciting and your challenges are unique – from securing funding, protecting IP, and navigating the regulatory environment, to differentiating yourself in the marketplace, managing customer acquisition and scaling your business. We get it. Our dedicated team brings a comprehensive, coordinated approach that interconnects business, new technologies and the law.

Read More

Venture Capital

The most successful venture capital investors stay ahead of the curve. They make smart investments on solid terms with promising companies. Goodwin has a team of over 180 lawyers nationwide who handle early and growth stage venture deals, providing dedicated representation to over 1,200 emerging companies and entrepreneurs and 200 venture capital and private equity firms. Our extensive company and investor client base allows us to leverage deep knowledge of market terms and relationships on behalf of our clients.
Read More
Related Practices
Advisory Services

The financial industry is operating in a complex and challenging regulatory environment with the cost of compliance rising, greater implications of big data and technology, heightened cybersecurity measures, and globalization requiring more comprehensive oversight. It is important now more than ever for law firms to possess sophisticated regulatory capabilities and in-depth understanding of the financial markets. Goodwin has its finger on the pulse of regulatory and compliance developments and is uniquely positioned to address the cutting-edge issues that can maximize business opportunities as well as better manage and mitigate risk.

Services that make up our Financial Industry Advisory services include both U.S. and non-U.S. counseling on matters relating to bank and consumer finance regulations, broker-dealer regulation, corporate governance, derivatives, ERISA, executive compensation and employment, False Claims Act, FCPA, finance, government and internal investigations, intellectual property, Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, privacy and cybersecurity, private investment funds regulation, public securities, restructuring, succession planning and liquidity strategies, tax, trade regulation, trusts and estates and enforcement actions.

Read More
Crowdfunding
Read More
FinTech
The financial services industry is experiencing an unprecedented technology revolution. Recent studies predict that worldwide IT spending for financial services will reach $500 billion before decade’s end, and FinTech investment has tripled globally since 2008.
 
The increased complexity of financial products, stringent oversight and regulation, and the need to improve profitability and streamline processes are driving financial institutions and financial services participants to deploy a growing range of finance-related software. As one of the only law firms with market-leading technology and financial institutions practices, Goodwin has been advising clients in the FinTech sector for over a decade and has extensive experience working with both established and emerging businesses in virtually all market segments.
Read More
Government Investigations + Enforcement
For many companies, government investigations and enforcement actions are an unfortunate reality in today’s world. How you respond to and manage these matters can help to mitigate disruption and keep your business on track, and you need a partner who is intimately familiar with navigating these murky waters. Goodwin has extensive experience responding to government investigations, defending enforcement actions, and managing administrative, criminal, and private proceedings. We represent our companies, directors and audit committees in investigations relating to securities fraud, the FCPA, the False Claims Act, healthcare fraud, whistleblower allegations and alleged violations of financial lending regulations. And in the event an enforcement action proceeds, we advocate for our clients before the government on a daily basis, responding to investigation requests, negotiating the resolution of enforcement actions and advocating for our clients before a wide range of federal and state agencies, including the SEC, DOJ, CFPB, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and state attorneys general.
Read More
Hedge Funds

Hedge fund markets are facing extraordinary challenges, including increased competition and a changing global regulatory environment. With extensive experience and resources in this industry, we help our hedge fund clients find opportunities, capitalize on them and provide better service to their investors.

We offer interdisciplinary expertise and an understanding of the “big picture” – which is critical for clients who offer their investors a wide ra

Read More
New Company Formation
Protect your company’s potential by starting off on the right foot. Goodwin’s full-service team advises on company formation and growth matters including incorporation, founders agreements, venture financing, intellectual property, licensing, employee contracts, benefits and beyond. We represent over 1,200 emerging companies and 200 venture capital and private equity firms. This extensive company and investor client base allows us to leverage relationships and deep market knowledge on behalf of our clients.
Read More
Technology

As a growing technology company, your prospects are exciting and your challenges are unique – from securing funding, protecting IP, and navigating the regulatory environment, to differentiating yourself in the marketplace, managing customer acquisition and scaling your business. We get it. Our dedicated team brings a comprehensive, coordinated approach that interconnects business, new technologies and the law.

Read More
Venture Capital
The most successful venture capital investors stay ahead of the curve. They make smart investments on solid terms with promising companies. Goodwin has a team of over 180 lawyers nationwide who handle early and growth stage venture deals, providing dedicated representation to over 1,200 emerging companies and entrepreneurs and 200 venture capital and private equity firms. Our extensive company and investor client base allows us to leverage deep knowledge of market terms and relationships on behalf of our clients.
Read More

All Services A-Z

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