Digital transformation is revolutionizing the global financial services industry at an unprecedented pace. The convergence of AI, tokenization, digital assets, blockchain, embedded finance, instant payments, banking-as-a services, decentralized finance and other pioneering technologies is fueling the creation of innovative services, products and solutions. This dynamic landscape, characterized by new market entrants and evolving business models, is reshaping every corner of the financial sector. As a result, regulators worldwide are grappling with the challenge of developing and enforcing a complex patchwork of regulations to keep pace with these rapid changes.
Steptoe’s Financial Innovation and Regulation (FIR) team is purposefully designed to be counsel for this changing market. We’ve assembled a team of top-tier former regulators, in-house counsel, industry trade association leaders, and market-leading commercial and regulatory lawyers offering clients authoritative insight on the regulatory, business, technology and policy trends shaping the financial services markets today.
Our Financial Innovation and Regulation lawyers understand the intricacies of traditional and innovative financial products, and the significant regulatory, compliance, organizational and commercial challenges our clients face. We offer end-to-end advice to clients on their go-to-market programs, products and services, ensuring compliance with the US and global regulatory frameworks of today—and anticipating those of the future.
Product Development and Commercial Counsel: We work with clients to structure and launch innovative financial products and services. We assist on commercial agreements, advise on structured products and provide transactional support.
Regulatory and Compliance Guidance: We guide clients on the applicability of existing regulations to novel financial technologies and business models, providing compliance advice, program design, and monitoring and audit support.
Licensing and Chartering: We assist clients in obtaining the necessary licenses, registrations and charters to operate in the financial services industry.
Regulatory Policy, Engagement and Advocacy: We advocate on behalf of clients before regulatory agencies, to ensure that regulatory regimes evolve to support the innovative products our clients are developing, and assist clients in engaging in the legislative process, to shape the future of financial regulation.
Enforcement and Litigation: We work seamlessly with Steptoe’s litigation, investigations and enforcement defense teams, to identify enforcement trends, help clients adapt and innovate to those trends, and to provide assistance with contentious regulatory issues and disputes when they arise.
Steptoe's Financial Innovation and Regulation capabilities are organized into the following areas of focus:
- Banking
- Payments
- Consumer Financial Services
- Financial Products and Markets
- Digital Assets and Decentralized Products
Noteworthy
- Legal 500 US, Finance – FinTech (2024-2025)
News & Publications
Blockchain Blog
The SEC’s Project Crypto Promises to Transform Regulation of US Capital Markets
August 1, 2025
By: Coy Garrison, Marlon Paz
Client Alerts
July 31, 2025
By: Daniel A. Mullen, David Isaak, Ryan Hayden, Ciara Davis, Micaela Hyams
Client Alerts
The Trump Administration's AI Action Plan: Deregulation and Global Dominance
July 24, 2025
By: Christian M. Auty, Evan T. Abrams, Michelle Castaline, Tyler Evans, Elizabeth Goodwin, Michelle Kallen, William M. Keyser, Michele Nellenbach, Michel Paradis, Marlon Paz, Claire Rajan, Alexandra C. Scheibe, Christopher Suarez, Jack R. Hayes, Peyton Thomas, Ross Weingarten
Client Alerts
The GENIUS Act is Here. What Now?
July 22, 2025
By: Alan Cohn, Benjamin M. Saul, Evan T. Abrams, Coy Garrison, Tarrian L. Ellis
Blockchain Blog
The GENIUS Act: What it Means for Stablecoin Regulation in the US
July 22, 2025
By: Alan Cohn, Benjamin M. Saul, Evan T. Abrams, Coy Garrison, Tarrian L. Ellis
Media Mentions
The Dispatch Quotes Coy Garrison in Article on GENIUS Act and Crypto Regulation
July 19, 2025
Press Releases
PYMNTS Quotes Stephen Aschettino on Upcoming Stablecoin Bill House Vote
July 17, 2025
Press Releases
Stephen Aschettino Appointed to Inaugural Hispanic National Bar Foundation Advisory Board
July 1, 2025
Press Releases
Steptoe Practices and Attorneys Earn High Rankings in the Legal 500 United States 2025
June 11, 2025
Events
Webinars
Consumer Protection Regulation in 2025
December 11, 2024
Speakers: Akita Adkins, Daniel Blynn, Lee Berger, Eric Berman, Michelle Kallen, Benjamin M. Saul
Seminars & Events
Developing an OTC Derivatives Trading Desk
October 1, 2024
Speakers: Alexandra C. Scheibe, Ryan Hayden, Daniel A. Mullen