Hall Of Fame

Fintech in Ireland

Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox offers comprehensive advice across financial regulation, technology, data protection, and corporate matters. The team is led by an experienced trio: Robert Cain, who advises on regulatory capital, market abuse rules, and securities regulation; Ian Duffy, who specialises in digital transformation projects, commercial contracts, and data protection issues; and Sarah Thompson, who assists clients with authorisations for MiFID investment firms and electronic money institutions.

Praxisleiter:

Robert Cain; Ian Duffy; Sarah Thompson


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Vivian Spies; Ciara Anderson


Referenzen

‘Extremely commercial. True grasp of complex legal developments and very knowledgeable. One of the best practices out there.‘

‘Robert Cain is simply the best. Commercial, responsive, easy to deal with, efficient and highly respected in the market. I would trust him with the most complex and sensitive matters due to his excellent knowledge of financial regulation and fintech, his credentials and his solutions-oriented attitude.’

‘Robert Cain is a very knowledgeable subject matter expert and provides helpful pragmatic guidance in ambiguous evolving situations. He is supported by a team who have expertise across a range of regulated services and delivers their advice in an accessible and quickly implementable form.’

Kernmandanten

EML Payments


Bridge Fund Management Limited


PFS Card Services (Ireland) Limited


Bridgepoint


Astorg


Hg Capital


AIB


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acting for PCSIL (and its parent EML Payments) in relation to all aspects of a Central Bank of Ireland supervisory investigation that commenced in May 2021 and the appointment of joint liquidators to the company in January 2024.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP is well-regarded for its expertise in financial regulation, technology, and data protection. The team is led by Rowena Fitzgerald, who offers strategic, commercial, and practical regulatory advice to financial services firms operating or establishing a presence in Ireland, and Liam Flynn, who has specialist knowledge in emerging sectors such as the AI, fintech, and insurtech spaces. Sarah Cloonan regularly advises clients on how regulatory frameworks affect the rollout of new technologies and supports them in securing the necessary regulatory approvals.

Praxisleiter:

Liam Flynn; Rowena Fitzgerald


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Sarah Cloonan


Referenzen

‘First-class experience with the team in MHC. Knowledgeable, friendly, work done in a timely manner.‘

‘Sarah Cloonan is an expert in her field. She keeps the best outcome for the client in mind.‘

‘The FinReg team is highly responsive and provides business-centric advice, always providing options in how to deal with regulatory challenges.‘

Matheson LLP

Matheson LLP provides comprehensive advice on MiFID licensing, regulatory compliance, crypto assets, and transactional matters. The team is co-led by Joe Beashel, who has extensive experience advising payment and e-money clients on Irish payments law and PSD2 licensing requirements. Anne-Marie Bohan co-heads the team, advising financial institutions and tech companies on electronic money, payment systems, and the related regulatory frameworks.

Praxisleiter:

Joe Beashel; Anne-Marie Bohan


Referenzen

‘Depth of knowledge and lots of hands-on experience in the sector.’

Kernmandanten

Treyd


Rippling Payments Ireland Limited


Lockton Re Capital Markets


Interpath (Ireland) Limited


Paymentsense Ireland Limited – t/a Dojo


myPOS Limited


Etsy Payments Ireland Limited


Payward Ireland Limited, t/a Kraken Digital Asset Exchange


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for Kraken in securing a licence under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) from the Central Bank of Ireland.
  • Advised Lockton Re Capital Markets Limited on its application to the Central Bank of Ireland for authorisation to establish a MiFID investment firm in Ireland.
  • Supported Rippling Payments Ireland Limited with successfully securing the first e-money institution authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland in 2025.

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP advises on a broad spectrum of regulatory and compliance matters, including authorisations, outsourcings, corporate governance work, and cybersecurity issues. The team is led by Josh Hogan, who specialises in financial services regulation, while Douglas McMahon is a key figure in the fintech space, advising both traditional pillar banks and emerging start-ups. Clare Gillett has particular expertise in handling MiFID applications for investment firms with a fintech focus, and Holly Draper-Spillane supports clients on anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance, including drafting risk assessments, policies, and procedures.

Praxisleiter:

Josh Hogan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Douglas McMahon; Clare Gillett; Holly Draper-Spillane; James Fitzgerald


Referenzen

‘The team are a pleasure to deal with, has specialists in all of the areas that we need, and has great lawyers. We have found the lawyers much more down to earth than other lawyers we have dealt with. They were able to collaborate with my law firm very effectively.’

‘James Fitzgerald explains matters clearly and has a clear grasp of what the Central Bank of Ireland expect from firms which they regulate.’

‘Responsiveness and practicality – balancing legal advice with a commercial perspective, with a good sense for the level of detail required when providing such advice.’

Kernmandanten

Bankinter S.A.


Paycom Europe Limited


FNZ (Europe) DAC


Pomelo Technology US Inc. / LemFi


Premafina Ireland Limited


Fidelity Investments


Euroclear


Hashkey Europe Ltd


Cover Genius Europe B.V.


Intuit Ireland


Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising Paycom Software Inc. on the establishment of an Irish entity, Paycom (Europe) Limited, to service the Irish and wider European markets, and its application for authorisation as a payment institution.
  • Advising Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c and its subsidiary EBS d.a.c. in their continued implementation of changes to facilitate increased access to instant payment services for customers including their application to become a participant in the verification of payee scheme.
  • Advising FNZ (Europe) DAC on its application to the Central Bank for an extension of its MiFID authorisation to provide the service of execution of orders.

William Fry LLP

William Fry LLP provides end-to-end legal support across financial regulations and emerging technologies, with particular expertise in areas such as AI, crypto and digital assets, and cybersecurity. The team is co-led by Shane Kelleher, who advises clients on securing regulatory authorisation as electronic money institutions, payment institutions, and crypto-asset service providers; and John O’Connor, who focuses on complex and large-scale technology and outsourcing transactions within the financial services sector. Louise McNabola is also a key contact, regularly advising fintech clients on licensing as EMIs, PIs, and other regulated entities in Ireland. Máire O’Neill complements the team with her expertise in corporate matters, particularly M&A, venture capital, and private equity transactions.

Praxisleiter:

Shane Kelleher; John O’Connor


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Máire O’Neill; Louise McNabola


Referenzen

‘William Fry is extremely knowledgeable in the regulation area. They are aware of the next steps and are very proactive.’

‘William Fry is very engaged, efficient and knowledgeable in this area.’

‘John O’Connor is extremely knowledgeable, strategic and pragmatic.’

Kernmandanten

Experian


European Commission


ConsenSys


Saol Assurance (joint venture of AIB and Irish Life)


Elavon (t/a Opayo)


Digital Capital Management


Moneycorp


Momentive Europe Unlimited (t/a SurveyMonkey)


Middlegame Ventures


Payoneer Europe Limited


Associated Foreign Exchange Ireland Limited


Tines Security Services Limited


Paygate


CR2


OFX Payments Limited


Soldo


AQ Metrics Limited


Fenergo Group/Freedom Topco Limited


Wefunder EU BV


Numerix LLC


Accel London Funds VII Holdings LLC


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted as Irish counsel for ConsenSys – a US head quartered blockchain technology innovator and vendor.
  • Advised Experian on its successful application to the Central Bank of Ireland to become registered as an Account Information Service Provider under the Second Payment Services Directive as part of its Open Banking Strategy with the Irish regulated entity becoming the EU customer-facing hub for the Experian group.
  • Advising on all legal matters regarding the set-up of a new life insurer, jointly owned by Ireland’s largest bank and Ireland’s largest life insurer.

A&L Goodbody LLP

A&L Goodbody LLP provides comprehensive support to clients in the fintech, crypto, neobank, and payment sectors, offering guidance on intricate and emerging regulatory and compliance issues. The team is headed by Patrick Brandt, who has considerable expertise in advising banks, asset managers, payment service firms, brokers, and intermediaries on both advisory and contentious regulatory matters.

Praxisleiter:

Patrick Brandt


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Louise Hogan


Referenzen

‘It’s great to have a payments and crypto specialist in Louise Hogan – she has all the industry knowledge necessary to advise pragmatically.‘

‚Patrick Brandt’s experience is evident in his steady manner under pressure.’

‘Collaboration and key account management.’

Kernmandanten

Chase Paymentech Europe Limited


CapRelease


Seapoint Finance


JustTip Technologies Limited


Coinbase


Highlight-Mandate


  • Providing Coinbase with advice on regulatory matters, including product launches, and current services.
  • Advising Chase Paymentech Europe Limited on new product developments, day-to-day operations, regulatory compliance, and impact assessments of forthcoming regulatory and market developments.
  • Advising CapRelease on the establishment and growth of its business, including the funding of its first customers.

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP handles a broad range of work across IT contracts, significant outsourcing projects, and regulatory developments, such as those surrounding AI and DORA, within the financial services industry. David Naughton heads the practice, frequently supporting investment management clients and their principals on regulatory compliance.

Praxisleiter:

David Naughton


Dillon Eustace

Dillon Eustace advises on a range of areas including payments, crypto-asset services, point-of-sale credit, and non-bank lending. The team is led by Keith Waine, who offers regulatory guidance to both domestic and international clients such as banks, broker-dealers, asset managers, and firms in the payment and e-money space.

Praxisleiter:

Keith Waine


Kernmandanten

Nua Money


Scalapay


NAV Fund Administration


Chainflip


Viceversa


Figure Markets


Clearhill


Bitwage


Trustap


ShipMoney


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Nua Money on all aspects of its establishment and authorisation as a new technology driven mortgage lender in the Irish market.
  • Advised Darta Allianz in relation to the successful migration of third party administration service providers.
  • Advised NAV Consulting in relation to the establishment and authorisation of a fund administrator.

Maples Group

Maples Group provides advice across a broad spectrum of corporate, IP, data protection, cybersecurity, and technology-related issues. The team is led by Colm Rafferty, who focuses on M&A, restructurings, and private equity transactions. Lorna Smith advises clients across a range of sectors, including MiFID investment firms, insurers, payment companies and e-money institutions.

Praxisleiter:

Colm Rafferty


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Lorna Smith


Referenzen

‘Very organised, communicative and makes themselves available. A multi-disciplinary practice.’

Kernmandanten

Outmin Limited


Wayflyer Limited


Partnership Solutions International Limited / Partsol Global Limited


Coinbase Global


Advanced Manufacturing Control Systems


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted for Outmin Limited on its recent funding round led by Praetura Ventures.
  • Advised Wayflyer Limited on its Series B top-up investment led by Balderton Capital.
  • Advising Partsol on the establishment of its EU headquarters in Dublin.

Walkers

Niall Esler leads the fintech practice at Walkers, which sits within the firm's wider regulatory department. The group counts crypto-asset service providers, payment providers, crowdfunding platforms and exchanges on its client roster.

Praxisleiter:

Niall Esler


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Shane Martin


Referenzen

‘The people make Walkers what they are! Very approachable and have the personal touch when it comes to relationships.’

‘The Walkers team works with us on solving complicated technical issues around our regulatory filings and how we operate our business.’

‘Niall Esler was able to understand the very core of our technical offering and explain how it fits in the regulatory landscape. He is a problem solver and picks up technical concepts very quickly.’