Blockchain-Technologies & FinTech

Chambers & Partners

“Reliable, solutions-driven and fast.”

Chambers & Partners

“Incredible commitment, simple communication and useful output.”

Chambers & Partners

“Substantial depth of experience in the new world of crypto finance, acting on a number of notable mandates.”

Chambers & Partners

“Proactive with good knowledge on how you apply the existing laws and regulations to cryptocurrencies.”

Practice Group

Schellenberg Wittmer’s multidisciplinary and integrated Blockchain-Technologies & FinTech Group features experts and specialists with a strong blockchain technology background across the firm's various practice groups (Information and Communication Technology, Corporate and Commercial, Banking and Finance, Capital Markets, Taxation, and Dispute Resolution).

The team advises clients looking to take full advantage of the high potential of blockchain technology, such as the sale and purchase of cryptocurrencies, project launch and financing (ICO, DAO), on execution of the projects and promotion to commercial partners.

The team’s specialist skills are essential to the uniqueness of each project with its own technical and commercial features. A specialist team assembled from across the various practice groups evaluates each project’s specific requirements in order to provide expert, tailored advice.

Expertise

Experience

Our team advises clients across all industries in relation to blockchain technology and FinTech (e.g. financing, real estate, commercial, charity) in the following areas:

  • Crowd-funding project preliminary analysis and set-up, incorporation of legal entities in Switzerland and abroad with the assistance of carefully selected advisors
  • Domiciliation in Switzerland of companies active in the blockchain technology and FinTech market
  • Regulatory advice on any activities in relation to cryptocurrencies (issuance of coins, brokerage, storage, status of coins)
  • Set-up of cryptocurrency brokerage activities and storage solutions (wallets)
  • ICO preparation (incorporation of legal entities, white paper drafting and review, set-up of bank accounts, obtaining no-action comfort from Swiss regulator FINMA, compliance with AML requirements)
  • ICO execution (negotiation and drafting of agreements with investors and commercial partners, filing with authorities)
  • Advice on compliance with anti-money laundering legislation in connection with issuance and trading in cryptocurrencies
  • Advice on structuring of smart contracts
  • Advice on compliance with data protection and transaction security requirements
  • Advice on taxation of products and services offered   
  • Executive education (compliance in the area of cryptocurrencies and tokens)
  • Dispute resolution
  • Advice and representation to LakeDiamond SA in the launch of its CHF 60 million ICO with Swissquote Bank SA     
  • Advice to a Swiss investment fund on all Swiss regulatory aspects and feasibility of an ICO for future investment in real estate and energy
  • Advice on the set-up of a new crowd-funding platform in Switzerland, including analysis of all financial regulations, such as the Swiss Banking Act, Securities Dealers Act, Financial Market Infrastructure Act and Collective Investment Schemes Act, and anti-money laundering legislation
  • Advice to a global transport company on the establishment of a foundation and the issue of tokens to be used in a blockchain-based transport platform operated by the client that allows autonomous vehicles to transact with one another
  • Advice to a stock photo company on the set-up of a joint stock corporation in Switzerland and on the issuance of tokens in an ICO to be used to obtain services from a platform to share photos operated by the client
  • Advice to a luxury lifestyle provider on the set-up of a joint stock corporation in Switzerland and on the issuance of tokens in an ICO
  • Advice on the set-up of a crowd-funding platform in Switzerland, drafting of all related agreements, and obtaining a non-action letter from FINMA confirming that it is out of scope of regulations and in line with all applicable laws
  • Advice to a leading ATM software company provider to banks worldwide, at the early stages of exploring an ICO as a method of investment, on the regulatory environment in Switzerland

Contact

Partners

Full Team

Awards & Recognitions

The practice and its leading practitioners of the group are highly ranked across leading publications and directories:

  • Chambers & Partners
  • Legal 500
  • IFLR
  • Who’s Who Legal
  • Chambers & Partners FinTech Guide

Download Factsheet

 

Stay up to date!

*Required fields

Newsletters & Newsflashes

Monthly selected key topics from our practice areas, sectors and industries, plus newsflashes on recent developments.

Publications

Monthly email with the latest updates and summaries of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court's case law in arbitration matters.
Regular insights into Swiss and international trends and legal developments in the construction industry.
Regular insights and updates on key developments in the rapidly changing landscape of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance disputes.
Concise analysis of key trends in the fast-moving world of corporate governance for board members of Swiss companies.
A regular look from a unique M&A perspective at legal changes, economic developments and societal trends in Switzerland.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.