Stephen A. Aschettino

Payments companies

• US Counsel and global co-relationship partner to one of the world’s largest FinTech "super app" companies offering a wide range of traditional and alternative payment, lending and investing products.
• Outside product counsel to numerous global FinTechs and PayTechs seeking regulatory and commercial advice in order to develop and deploy financial products in the US.
• Served as corporate and regulatory counsel to a US payments company acquiring a global money transmitter.
• Negotiated a global customer brand agreement with a leading US payment card network.
• Served as corporate and regulatory counsel to a Canadian payments company acquiring a US payment processor.     
• Prepared agreements for and provided regulatory advice to one of the leading mobile wallets.
• Assisted cryptocurrency exchange to obtain state money transmitter licenses.
• Performed 50-state regulatory analyses for start-up money transmitters.
• Provided regulatory advice to a foreign currency exchange provider doing business in the US.
• Advised cannabis marketplace regarding implementation of PayTech solutions.
• Represented a public company in the payments industry in TCPA litigation.
• Litigation counsel for national ATM company.

Financial institutions

• Advised one of the largest global financial institutions on the development and commercialization of tokenized payment services, including a first-of-its-kind trade finance solution.
• Commercial counsel to a global financial institution launching its first digital custody product for traditional and digital bonds.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) counsel to multiple global financial institutions.
• Analyzed and assessed top-10 US financial institution’s payment solutions for PCI-DSS compliance analysis.
• Counseled a bank on the issuance of its first credit card products.
• Prepared all consumer-facing electronic banking and disclosure documents for a multi-national bank.
• Negotiated a new core platform agreement for a regional bank.
• Provided US regulatory device to a multi-national bank based in Eastern Asia.
• Negotiated a cryptocurrency cold storage agreement for a bank holding one of the largest known cryptocurrency portfolios.
• Advised company providing white-labeled crypotocurrency solutions for banks.

Technology companies

• Represented a digital advertising company negotiating a change of its payments services provider.
• Advised a global online travel services provider on minimizing its US payments regulatory footprint.
• Counseled a technology service provider for rental apartments on the proposed imposition of surcharges for credit card payments.
• Advised technology platform for landlords on applicable anti-money laundering regulations and card-network rules.
• Provided counsel to wireless telephone carrier with regard to payment facilitator issues.
• Provided US regulatory advice to various EU and Israeli-based start-ups.
• Served as Outside General Counsel to numerous start-ups.

Entertainment and social media companies

• Advised global, short-form mobile video social networking service on payments regulatory issues impacting US launch of new product.
• Provided guidance to one of the largest social media platforms with regard to cryptocurrency and NFT regulatory and advertising issues.
• Counselled one of the largest media content providers on implementation of a blockchain-based data repository.
• Advised broadcast television network on development of tokenized distribution platform. Counselled one of the largest talent agencies on cryptocurrency issues.
• Represented artificial-intelligence-based technology company in various matters with regard to royalty payments due to artists, labels and streaming services.

Retailers

• Negotiated core payments technology agreements with various payments services providers for a national pharmacy chain.
• Advised US airline with regard to its payment processing agreements and mobile payments integration.
• Assisted national, membership-based discount retailer on implementation of digital membership card, with associated payments capabilities.
• Advised national pharmacy chain on payments regulatory and AML compliance issues.
• Counselled numerous Fortune 100 companies on potential money transmitter issues arising from gift card promotions.
• Represented large retailer conglomerate with regard to its proposed rollout of payroll cards to its employees.
• Performed multi-state regulatory analyses for numerous retailers seeking to implement payments solutions.

Manufacturers

• Counsel to a US automobile manufacturer regarding its payments and mobility platform products.
• Negotiated the US portion of multi-national cosmetics company's payments technology platform agreements.
• Advised US automobile manufacturer on card network compliance issues.
• Represented bicycle manufacturer on agreements with a financial institution to provide financing to customers.
• Represented a cosmetics company in a dispute with a payment card network.
• Negotiated payment facilitator agreement for a US automobile manufacturer.
• Performed multi-state regulatory analyses for numerous manufacturers seeking to implement payment solutions.
• Created a PCI-DSS compliant Payment Card Acceptance Policy for an affiliate of one of the largest US energy companies.

Sports leagues

• Advised a major US sports league regarding blockchain-based gaming solutions.
• Counselled an esports company on payments integration issues.
• Assisted a major-league baseball team regarding PCI-DSS requirements for POS terminals in a new stadium.

Estates

• Advised various estates holding cryptocurrency portfolios and the implications thereof.
• Assisted estates in disposition of crypto assets

• Chambers FinTech Guide, Notable Practitioner (2024)
• The Legal 500, Recommended Lawyer, Fintech (US) (2022-2023)

News & Publications

• “Video Game Industry Preps for Oversight,” Payments Dive, April 22, 2024
• “Payments Regulation and Legislation Abound in 2024,” Payments Dive, January 30, 2024
• "What's In Your Wallet: The CFPB Goes After Digital Wallets and Payment Apps" (Podcast), Task Force on Digital Technologies, New York City Bar Association, December 21, 2023
• "Will Other States Mimic New Jersey's Credit Card Surcharge?"  Payments Dive, July 17, 2023
• "3 Tips for Crypto Startups Preparing for Continued Compliance," TechCrunch, March 22, 2023
• "Preparing for Continued Compliance in Crypto," Transaction Trends, February 16, 2023
• "Bitcoin's Case for Payments Builds With New Strike Development," Blockworks, December 8, 2022
• "5 Insights Into Treasury's Trio Of Digital Assets Reports," Law360, October 7, 2022
• "Want to Survive the crypto winter?  Start by inspiring regulatory confidence," TechCrunch, September 8, 2022
• "The Lummis-Gillibrand crypto bill provision that has banks on edge," American Banker, June 7, 2022
• "Why Emerging Markets Are Leading the Charge on CBDCs," Blockworks, May 26, 2022
• "Shrugging Off Crypto Doubters, Central African Republic Forges Ahead," Blockworks, May 24, 2022
• "Tether withdrawals top $10 billion as regulators raise alarm about stablecoins,"CNBC, May 23, 2022
• "Blockchain + Legal Industry Group launches whitepaper series to highlight technology & law," Auto Fin Journal, May 9, 2022
• "Blockchain Legal Industry Group Aims to Raise Awareness of Legal and Regulatory Issues," LawSites, April 28, 2022
• "Industry Group Dedicated to Driving Awareness and Solutions for Legal and Regulatory Issues Related to Blockchain
  Releases First White Paper for General Counsels," Associated Press, April 28, 2022
• "As California Readies Automatic Renewal Law, Compliance Efforts May Already Be Falling Behind," com, February 8, 2022
• "US Crypto Regulation Starts to Take Place" (Global Risk Regulator), September 1, 2021
• "Episode 10 of the Regulation Tomorrow Out Now" (Podcast), Regulation Tomorrow, August 26, 2021
• "Would A Digital Dollar Make FedNow Obsolete?" American Banker, June 15, 2021
• "In Check with FinTech" PCN (Podcast),March 18, 2021
• "OCC's Potential Boon for Payments Industry Faces Headwinds," Law360, September 10, 2020
• "Fintech Could See Adoption Bump After Outbreak Eases, " Law360, March 19, 2020
• "Fintech's 2020 M&A Boom Shifts to Consumer-Facing Targets," Law360, February 26, 2020
• "Dueling Fintech Regulatory Initiatives May Work Best Together," Law360, November 20, 2019
• "Industry Will Not Face Censure Over Non-Binding Guidance, Insist U.S. Regulators," Payments Compliance,September 17, 2018
• "Mini Law Lesson: What the Heck is Blockchain?" YouTube(Video), August 21, 2018
• "Lessons Learned:  Venmo Reaches Settlement with Federal U.S. Regulator," Payments Compliance, March 9, 2018
• "U.S. Firms Cautioned Over Regulatory Sandbox Hype," Payments Compliance, October 27, 2017
• "U.S. Arbitration Rule Struck Down by Senate," Payments Compliance, October 26, 2017
• "Square Wants To Be A Bank, And Real Banks are Pissed," Buzzfeed, September 29, 2017
• "The Morning Risk Report: Compliance Requirements Loom for Fintech Firms," The Wall Street Journal,July 21, 2017
• "Merchants Are Finally Warming Up to Surcharging," Payments Source, November 4, 2016
• "Little-Discussed Aspect of CFPB Ruling Could Be Boon to Lawyers," New York Law Journal, October 13, 2016
• "Merchants in Legal Hot Water After EMV Shift," ISO & Agent, July 5, 2016
• "On Deck: Predictions for 2016 and Beyond," SC Media,December 14, 2015
• "What Does Your Cyber-Insurance Really Cover?" Inside Counsel, November 9, 2015
• "Lawyers Work to Safeguard ISOs," ISO & Agent Weekly, March 14, 2013
• "Time Has Come for Honesty in Negotiating the Split," ISO & Agent Weekly, March 29, 2011
• "Portability Rights Taking on Greater Importance," ISO & Agent Weekly, July 28, 2010
• "The Do's And Don'ts of Digital Documents," Payments Source, May 26, 2010

• Co-Chair, Payment Services and Systems, New York City Bar Association Task Force on Digital Technologies
• Co-Chair, Token Alliance, Chamber of Digital Commerce
• Founding Member, Blockchain + Legal Industry Group
• Global Business Blockchain Consortium
• Digital Asset Law Committee, Washington College of Law at American University
• Artificial Intelligence Committee, Electronic Transactions Association
• Hispanic National Bar Association