Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

Steptoe's Blockchain and Cryptocurrency team combines unparalleled legal and regulatory experience across diverse practices with industry-specific knowledge to help clients navigate the complex landscape surrounding cryptocurrencies and crypto-assets in the US and globally.

Our multidisciplinary team includes former high-ranking officials from agencies such as the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, Treasury Department—including the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Internal Revenue Service —and the Securities and Exchange Commission. These professionals bring extensive experience in digital assets and blockchain technology. Our team offers experience in regulatory areas such as anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) compliance, securities, commodities, and derivatives regulation (covering issuers, exchanges, and investment companies). We also provide guidance on matters including tax law, intellectual property, corporate transactions, public policy, and government enforcement. Whether advising traditional financial institutions, startups, or innovative challenger companies and their investors, Steptoe provides legal and regulatory counsel on issues related to currency, commodities,  derivatives, and securities law. Additionally, we offer specialized guidance on the tax implications of activities such as trading, investing, creating and issuing tokens, and digitizing assets.

We take a holistically approach to understanding our clients' business models, operational needs, and competitive challenges. This positions us uniquely to support them in building, acquiring, and operating business entities; developing and implementing regulatory and compliance strategies; and mitigating the legal and regulatory risks associated with emerging technologies.

On behalf of the The Digital Chamber and Coin Center, Steptoe helped establish and continues to serve as counsel on the Blockchain Alliance, a non-profit entity facilitating collaboration between the blockchain and digital asset industry and law enforcement and regulatory agencies. The Alliance fosters open communication and engagement to support the growth of the industry and its technology. Its membership includes more than 60 leading companies in the digital asset space and over 80 local, state, federal, and international government, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies. In addition, Steptoe holds key leadership with several major trade associations and advocacy groups, such as Coin Center, The Digital Chamber, the Blockchain Association, and Global Digital Finance. The firm also co-chairs the Legal and Regulatory Group of the Global Blockchain Business Council.

Steptoe has been recognized a leader in this space by Chambers, the Legal 500 US, Law360, and the National Law Journal, among others.

Our client services fall into four main categories, as further described below, but we are constantly expanding and adapting as the industry evolves.