Practice Areas

Fintech and Payments

We drive innovation. Paul Hastings collaborates with emerging and high-growth companies, public companies and boards, traditional financial institutions and investors to drive innovation in the fintech industry. We advise clients as they navigate regulatory, transactional and general corporate issues impacting the fintech sector and are renowned for handling market-first, pioneering and bold product launches at the vanguard of industry developments.

Payments & Lending

Paul Hastings has long been at the forefront of innovation in the payments and lending industry, working hand in hand with emerging startups, established financial institutions and investors as the payments and credit ecosystem evolves.

Our team is highly regarded for its deep experience navigating the complex regulatory challenges that shape the payments and lending sectors. We are particularly known for our ability to manage groundbreaking, market-leading initiatives that extend the boundaries of what is possible.

Emerging companies offering innovative products and services often turn to Paul Hastings for help traversing the uncertain and ever-shifting regulatory landscape. Additionally, leading tech companies and financial institutions rely on our counsel as they expand or enhance their payments and lending offerings. We also are a trusted adviser for top private equity and venture capital investors seeking to strategically grow their financial services portfolios.

Our experience includes:

Advising established financial institutions, third-party service providers, fintech companies, and technology and e-commerce platforms on all aspects of product development. This includes strategic advice on product structure, user experience, disclosures and user terms across various state and federal regulatory regimes.
Providing guidance on a robust set of financial services laws and regulations, including state and federal money transmission regimes, U.S. anti-money laundering and sanctions laws, EFTA and Regulation E (including the Remittance Transfer Rule, Prepaid Rule and Federal Gift Card Rule), ROSCA, federal banking agency regulations and guidance (including with respect to advertising and pass-through deposit insurance), the Bank Service Company Act, TILA and Regulation Z, ECOA and Regulation B, FCRA and Regulation V, MLA, SCRA, CROA, state lending-related and usury laws, and many others.
Advising on all aspects of regulatory licensing in the payments and lending spaces, including with respect to de novo licensing, changes of control, ongoing regulatory reporting and compliance.
Negotiating complex commercial agreements in the financial services space, including bank-fintech partnerships, payment processing arrangements, receivables purchase agreements, BNPL integrations and others.
Representing co-branders, program managers, middleware providers and issuing processors in launching credit and deposit products with bank partners.
Representing clients in major enforcement actions, litigation and investigations involving fintech and payments.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

As one of the first law firms to address the complex regulatory and market dynamics of cryptocurrency, Paul Hastings is at the forefront of helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving digital asset landscape. We work across all stages of the blockchain and cryptocurrency lifecycle, from early stage innovation to regulatory compliance, litigation and enforcement. Our goal is to drive innovation while ensuring our clients operate within the bounds of an increasingly complex regulatory environment.

Expertise Across the Crypto Ecosystem

Our Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Practice regularly works with key regulatory bodies such as the SEC, CFTC, NYDFS and other state regulators to advocate for clients in the cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors. We provide expert counsel on a broad range of critical issues, including:

Regulatory Compliance: Advising on token launches, distributions, centralized and decentralized trading platforms, and anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance.
Enforcement and Litigation: Representing clients in significant enforcement actions, litigation and investigations related to digital assets and blockchain technology.
Innovative Structures: Structuring and advising on projects involving digital asset exchanges, custody solutions, licensing, tokenization, stablecoins and other emerging technologies.

Shaping the Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation

Paul Hastings is a recognized thought leader in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space, helping shape the evolving regulatory environment for digital currencies. Our team has played a key role in developing the regulatory policies and frameworks adopted by many of the leaders in the crypto industry. We are trusted by both established industry giants and innovative startups to help navigate the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly changing sector.

With a deep understanding of both the legal and technological aspects of digital assets, Paul Hastings offers one of the most comprehensive and forward-thinking practices in the industry. We are committed to helping our clients succeed, whether they are building groundbreaking blockchain technologies, raising capital through digital assets or complying with complex regulatory requirements.