A&O Shearman provides ‘high-quality’ advice to a wide range of stakeholders – from start-ups through to established global institutions – across the panoply of their fintech needs, from standalone regulatory compliance advice and the development of new products, through to the utilisation of fintech products on transactional work. Much of the highest-profile work has been in the capital markets space, with the team recently acting on a number of significant digital assets issuances, including Frank Mausen‘s recent representation of underwriters in connection with several development finance institution (DFI) digital bond issuances utilising distributed ledger technology (DLT). Financial services regulatory expert Baptiste Aubry is also a key contact and co-heads the multidisciplinary team alongside Mausen and IP as well as TMT expert Catherine Di Lorenzo.

Arendt & Medernach‘s multidisciplinary team has broad coverage across the dynamic and evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring it is well placed to advise a mix of traditional financial services entities seeking to establish fintech platforms/products, infrastructure providers/platforms, investors and fintech-focused companies. As well as handling a myriad ongoing advisory work, including securing necessary licenses, the team, which is led by Marc Mouton, also excels at handling bespoke big-ticket projects in the sector. Many of these have recently arisen within the crypto/digital assets space, with Mouton noted for his nuanced expertise with regard to blockchain technology, work which he combines with a very thorough understanding of payments matters. Investment management expert Francis Kass has also recently handled some work establishing funds seeking to invest in crypto, while Frédéric Schmit has strong regulatory expertise, including in relation to crypto and tokenised assets.

Deploying a multidisciplinary approach to work in the space, and often leveraging the firm’s global resources, Clifford Chance is well-placed to advise stakeholders on some major transformational fintech projects, including as it relates to blockchain technology, payments and smart contracts. Combining regulatory and finance transactional expertise, Steve Jacoby is at the forefront of many of these mandates and has gained a particularly strong reputation in the digital assets space, having advised the European Investment Bank (EIB) on several major digital bond issuances. Leveraging his corporate and capital markets transactional strength to good effect, Christian Kremer has handled fintech-related M&A, as well as regularly supporting clients on their licensing applications.

Combining ‘deep fintech regulatory expertise with a practical, business-oriented approach’, Elvinger Hoss Prussen is well positioned to advise both users and providers of tech-based solutions within the financial services sector. Many of these are investment fund clients, which have been increasingly looking towards fintech solutions to modernise their products and services. In this context, Sophie Dupin is well versed in helping to secure regulatory approval to launch novel products in this sector. As part of his broad financial services regulatory offering, the ‘very competent’ Tiago Nogueira is increasingly active in the fintech space, leveraging strong connections with the regulator to good effect for clients seeking license approvals for different services, products, and platforms relating to payments and crypto, inter alia. Tech specialist Gary Cywie and banking and finance expert Henri Wagner co-head the multidisciplinary team alongside Dupin and Nogueira.

Combining deep underlying regulatory knowledge with transactional strength across corporate, finance and funds, in particular, the ‘dynamic’ multidisciplinary team at Loyens & Loeff is well positioned to advise start-ups, financial institutions and investors across a wide array of fintech matters. The team is adept at handling work within the crypto assets space, both on standalone regulatory advisory and transactional matters, including the recent advice to Apex Group on its acquisition of majority stake in Luxembourg-based fintech providing tokenisation solutions, Tokeny. Appreciated for her willingness to ‘think outside-the-box’ and ability to leverage strong industry connections, Anne-Marie Nicolas is key to much of the firm’s success in the crypto and tokenisation space and co-heads the overarching team alongside regulatory expert Adrien Pierre.

Drawing upon extensive banking, insurance, funds and regulatory capabilities, and also able to leverage the firm’s global resources for matters involving multi-jurisdictional issues, CMS Luxembourg is well placed to advise a broad range of stakeholders seeking to utilise or invest in fintech products and infrastructure. Team head Aurélia Viémont is at the forefront of most of this work, including securing licensing approvals for online payment providers and providing regulatory advice in connection with tokenisation projects.

A viable alternative to some of the larger full-service offerings, boutique law firm Jurisconsul Law Firm combines ‘deep knowledge of Luxembourg’s financial technology and digital asset regulation with a pragmatic and forward-looking approach’. The firm advises both start-ups and institutional clients across a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters associated with digital law. Team head Erwin Sotiri stands out for his ‘exceptional blend of legal expertise and industry insight’, particularly on behalf of clients seeking to navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape surrounding blockchain technology and digital assets.

Combining expertise across banking and finance regulatory and technology, the ‘accessible and responsive’ team at NautaDutilh advises financial institutions and technology suppliers providing or utilising a myriad fintech solutions. Vincent Wellens is a ‘go-to person when it comes to the crossing of tech and finance in Luxembourg’ and co-heads the team alongside regulatory expert Josée Weydert, who has a particularly astute understanding of crypto asset trading and payment services matters.

Established in 2020, financial services regulatory boutique Annerton S.A. has quickly gained a foothold in the market, advising start-ups and established entities across a wide range of fintech-related work. Team head Charles Krier is particularly well versed in advising on payments and blockchain-related matters.

Combining ‘deep legal and technical expertise with a pragmatic approach’,  Goodwin is an increasingly popular choice among start-ups, investors and financial institutions across a wide range of their fintech-related needs. The increased market visibility in Luxembourg can be attributed to the arrival in 2024 of ‘collaborative and approachable’ counsel Céline Moille, who regularly advises on MiCA compliance and the use of blockchain in financial services, among others.

Overseen from Luxembourg by regulatory head Pierre Reuter and also able to draw upon the expertise of a strong global team, particularly from London, Hogan Lovells (Luxembourg) LLP handles standalone work and the Luxembourg law aspects of cross-border projects, including in the context of advice to e-payment providers.

Leveraging the firm’s strength across banking and investment funds, in particular, and able to draw upon expertise in other key international offices, Linklaters excels in handling fintech-based work utilising a multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional approach. Capital markets expert Nicki Kayser provides ‘highly nuanced and practical advice’ in relation to digital securities matters and co-heads the team alongside Raoul Heinen, whose fintech-related work includes a considerable amount of tokenised fund matters.

Acting on a standalone basis as well as being able to leverage the expertise of lawyers across the firm’s international network, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s multidisciplinary team handles a wide range of fintech matters for tech providers and financial services institutions. Team head Dorothée Ciolino is very knowledgeable on regulatory issues surrounding payment services and the digitalisation of payments and has also handled a considerable amount of work relating to the impact of the newly enacted Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA).

Schiltz et Schiltz is well versed in the regulatory changes impacting the fast-developing fintech landscape in Luxembourg. Leveraging strong ties with the regulator, the firm excels in advising on compliance matters, including securing licences for payment entities, as well as assisting clients develop new tech-based products. Senior partner Jean-Louis Schiltz and Zoe Wagner co-head the team.