Digital Asset Innovators
Protocol developers, layer-1 and layer-2 foundations, dApp builders and DAO contributors.
Tokens · Protocols · Platforms · Disputes
Cryptocurrency Lawyers Services
Legal architecture for digital assets, tokens and Web3.
London-based legal advice for protocol developers, platforms and investors whose projects cross borders from day one. We combine English-law expertise in IP, contracts and disputes with fluency in blockchain architecture, smart contracts and decentralised protocols.
Built for the Participants Shaping Digital Asset Markets
Market Infrastructure Providers
Crypto-asset exchanges, digital custodians, fiat-to-crypto gateways and staking providers.
Institutional Capital & Corporates
Venture funds, digital asset funds, asset managers and established businesses adopting tokenisation.
Cross-Border by Design, Technically Fluent by Default
Digital asset projects rarely sit in one jurisdiction. We help clients structure documentation that works across the major crypto hubs, and we understand the technology well enough to test whether the legal terms match the code.
Multi-Jurisdictional Alignment
- English-law advice for projects active across the UK, EU, US, UAE, Singapore and the Cayman Islands
- Mapping UK requirements against MiCA in the EU and other hub regimes
- Governing law, jurisdiction and dispute-resolution strategy
- Early identification of where local counsel is required, and coordination with them
Technical Fluency
- Web3-native infrastructure, layer-1 and layer-2 scaling protocols
- Smart contracts, dApps, bridges and oracles
- Tokenomics, vesting, staking and governance mechanics
- Wallets, custody models and on-chain evidence
Cryptocurrency & Digital Asset Legal Services
Mapped to the issues digital asset participants actually face, from token launch to dispute.
Token Design, Classification & Documentation
- Utility, security, e-money and stablecoin classification
- White papers, token terms and purchaser documentation
- Tokenomics and distribution frameworks reviewed for legal risk
- Token sale, airdrop and vesting arrangements
UK Regulatory Readiness
- Mapping activities against the FSMA (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026
- Preparing for FCA authorisation ahead of 25 October 2027
- Financial promotions and marketing compliance
- AML registration, policies and customer terms
Smart Contracts, Protocols & DAOs
- Smart-contract and protocol development agreements
- Audit engagement terms and liability allocation
- DAO governance, contributor and foundation arrangements
- Open-source licensing of protocol code
Exchanges, Custody & Platforms
- Exchange, wallet and custody terms of service
- Staking, lending and yield product terms
- Fiat on-ramp and payment partner agreements
- Privacy, data and platform policies
IP, Brands & NFTs
- Ownership of protocol code, artwork and brand
- Trade mark protection for project and token names
- NFT licences, creator rights and in-game tokens
Disputes & Asset Recovery
- Founder, investor, developer and partner disputes
- Freezing injunctions, including against persons unknown
- Disclosure orders against exchanges to trace assets
- Ownership claims under the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025
We do not give tax, investment or regulated financial advice. Where these are required, we identify the issue and coordinate with appropriate specialists.
The Dates That Matter for UK Crypto Businesses
United Kingdom
- 2 December 2025Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 in force
- 4 February 2026FSMA (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 made
- 30 September 2026FCA authorisation application window opens
- 28 February 2027Application window closes
- 25 October 2027New FCA cryptoasset regime comes into force
What to Do Now
- Confirm which of your activities will need authorisation
- Check whether you can rely on the transitional provisions
- Review customer terms, white papers and promotions against the FCA's final rules
- Align UK documentation with MiCA if you also serve EU customers
Digital Technology Law Since 1999
Our cryptocurrency work is led by Peter Adediran, founder and principal solicitor, who has advised on internet, intellectual property and commercial law for over 25 years.
Internet Lawyer Since 1999
Over 25 years in internet, IP and commercial law
Published Author
A Practical Guide to Business, Law & the Internet (Kogan Page, 2002)
MBL Seminars Partner
International CPD training for 286,000+ professionals across 73 countries
SRA Regulated
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
Crypto, NFT & Digital Asset Analysis
In Partnership With MBL Seminars
Peter delivers professional training on software IP, technology contracts and commercial risk with MBL Seminars, the international training and CPD organisation.
Cryptocurrency Legal Questions
Is my token or crypto business regulated in the UK?
Until 25 October 2027, UK crypto regulation is mainly about anti-money laundering registration with the FCA and the financial promotions regime. From 25 October 2027, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 bring activities such as issuing qualifying stablecoins, safeguarding, operating trading platforms, dealing, arranging and staking within FCA authorisation. Security tokens that are specified investments are already regulated.
What is the difference between a utility token and a security token?
A security token carries rights similar to shares or debt, such as profit, ownership or repayment, and is treated as a specified investment under UK financial services law. A utility token gives access to a product or service and has historically sat outside most regulation, although it may now fall within the new regime or the e-money rules. In the US, the Howey test is used to decide whether a token is an investment contract. Classification depends on the token's actual rights and how it is marketed.
We already operate in the UK. What do we need to do before October 2027?
Existing MLR registrations do not convert automatically. Firms wanting to use the transitional arrangements must apply for FSMA authorisation in the FCA's application window, which runs from 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027. Documentation, governance and customer terms should be reviewed now against the FCA's final rules.
Are crypto-assets property under English law?
Yes. The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, in force since 2 December 2025, confirms that a digital thing is not prevented from being personal property merely because it is neither a thing in possession nor a thing in action. This supports ownership claims, recovery and remedies such as injunctions.
Can stolen or misappropriated crypto-assets be recovered?
Sometimes, and speed matters. The English courts have granted freezing injunctions, including against persons unknown, and disclosure orders against exchanges to trace and preserve assets. We can assess the evidence and the jurisdictions involved, and the realistic routes to recovery.
Do you give tax or investment advice on crypto?
No. We advise on the legal, contractual, IP and regulatory framework. Where tax, investment or regulated financial advice is required, we identify the issue and coordinate with appropriate specialists.
How are your fees structured?
Matters usually begin with a fixed-fee initial review of the agreed documents and questions, followed by a consultation. Scope and fees for any further work are agreed in advance.
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
We follow the SRA's rules on conflicts and confidentiality. Before accepting instructions we check for conflicts, and where we act for more than one client in the same sector we keep each client's information confidential.
How long do crypto compliance or dispute matters take?
It depends on complexity. Documentation and compliance reviews can take weeks; contested disputes can run for months or longer. Urgent asset-preservation applications can be made within days where the evidence supports them.
Tell Us About the Project or Problem
A short summary helps us confirm whether the matter falls within our practice and the right next step.
Helpful to Include
- The token, protocol or platform and how it works
- Where the project, team and users are based
- The key documents involved
- Any launch, regulatory, dispute or funding deadline
How We Work
Matters usually begin with a fixed-fee initial review of the agreed documents and questions, followed by a consultation with our principal solicitor. Scope and fees for any further work are agreed in advance.
Make an appointment
Contact us today to learn how we can help safeguard your success.