notable unicorns of 2025
including Airwallex, TNG and WeLab.
Advising 5 out of 8 digital banks in Hong Kong
including Airstar Bank,
Ant Bank, ZA Bank,
Welab Bank and PAO Bank.
1 out of the 3 participants
in the HKMA stablecoin issuer sandbox.
Our team is well-regarded for financial regulatory, fintech, licensing and compliance matters.
We have extensive experience in advising financial institutions on the application of new technologies to finance, such as the digitalisation of money lending, P2P lending, banking, investment, payment and virtual asset-related services, as well as the creation of financial technology ecosystems that combine payment, personal finance and remittance functions.
Winner - Fintech and blockchain Award’
China Business Law Awards (2022-2024)
We have assisted many of our clients in their fintech initiatives and development of new financial products and services. With rapid development in the fintech sector, we have seen a surge in fintech mandates from local/overseas start-ups, payment services, credit providers and fintech unicorns looking to set up or expand their reach in the region.
Our Services
Fintech legal experts: M&A, licensing, compliance, product structuring, and cross-border advice.
- A leading global fintech group: advised various entities within the group, including a virtual bank and a licensed money lender, on cross-border collaboration, product upgrades, and compliance with the Open API framework.
A Singapore-based payment institution: advised on the licensing requirements for a proposed loan in USD Coin under the Money Lenders Ordinance, exploring the legal definition of "money" and its application to virtual assets.
A global virtual asset trading platform: advised on licensing requirements under various regimes due to a recent change in payment arrangements involving a money service operator.
We negotiate partnerships, draft tech contracts, and advise financial institutions on compliant product launches.
- A global fintech unicorn: advised on wallet-to-wallet transfers, issuance of good funds cards, and a credit card collaboration project with another fintech unicorn, ensuring compliance with Hong Kong's regulatory requirements.
We guide financial institutions on compliance, licensing, investigations, and regulatory risk.
- A Hong Kong digital bank: advised on obtaining an SFC licence for securities-related activities and preparing necessary client-facing documents.
- A fintech company specialising in digital wallets and one of the three participants to the stablecoin issuer sandbox of the HKMA: provided legal and regulatory advice on issuing a fully regulated stablecoin in Hong Kong, including preparing standard documents and trust deeds.
- A specialist alternative assets asset manager: supported with regulatory matters concerning fund distribution, obtaining a type 1 licence, and navigating the SFC's licensing process.
- A collaboration between a licensed digital bank and one of the largest licensed securities brokers in Hong Kong: advised in connection with the launch of a mini-app of the digital bank within the mobile application of the licensed securities broker for streamline customer experience.
- A digital bank: advised on the launch of different phases of the open API initiative under the HKMA framework and assisted the client in collaborating with technical service provider under the open API framework.
We defend clients in regulatory disputes, investigations, and litigation, protecting reputation and operations.
- An EU payment institution: litigated against a high-profile service provider before the London High Court in connection with a failure to perform a key IT service agreement.
- An EU payment institution: litigated against various victims of payment scams seeking compensation based on tort liability and breach of AML rules.
Awards and Recognition
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