This virtual seminar series provides insights on how the regulatory landscape is changing and discuss the future of crypto within the financial services sector. Recordings of the following sessions are now available — The Crypto Ecosystem; Integrating Crypto into Established Financial Services (Part 1: Funds and Listings and Part 2: Practical Considerations); Crypto Risk: Significant Legal and Regulatory Risks; A Deep Dive into NFTs; and DeFi (Decentralized Finance).

In October 2022, the Council of the EU published the long-awaited compromise text of the proposed Regulation on Markets in Cryptoassets (MiCA), a “landmark regulation” that, according to the Council, will “put an end to the crypto wild west”. Once in force, MiCA will establish the first comprehensive, pan-EU regulatory regime for the regulation of cryptoassets, including the regulation of (i) cryptoassets issuance activities and (ii) cryptoasset service providers (who will be held to similar regulatory standards to those imposed on investment firms).

The speed and volume of change in the crypto asset markets has accelerated across the globe, with established financial institutions increasingly entering the sector whilst regulators look to keep pace. Recent high-profile developments and market volatility have led to growing calls for scrutiny and regulatory controls. Navigating this fast paced environment, within a sometimes disjointed regulatory framework, can be challenging. The Crypto Boot Camp 2022 Series covers the crypto ecosystem and integrating crypto into established financial systems (recordings available), crypto risk (3 November 2022), NFTs (15 November 2022), DeFi (1 December 2022), and Growth in Crypto (6 December 2022).

The speed and volume of change in the crypto asset markets has accelerated across the globe, with established financial institutions increasingly entering the sector whilst regulators look to keep pace. Recent high-profile developments and market volatility have led to growing calls for scrutiny and regulatory controls. Navigating this fast paced environment, within a sometimes disjointed regulatory framework, can be challenging.
This virtual seminar series will provide insights on how the regulatory landscape is changing and discuss the future of crypto within the financial services sector. Set out below are details of our 2022 series.

The recent increase in value of cryptoassets as an investment class along with media coverage associated with high profile large investors has resulted in regulators warning investors to be cautious of the associated volatility risk. Against the background of these recent developments, we’re seeing increasing demand for legal advice in this area.

Episode 21: COP26 Key Takeaways for Sovereign Wealth Funds
In this episode of FInsight, Andrew Hedges and Kay She from Baker McKenzie’s EMI group in London discuss their experience and observations while on the ground in Glasgow. They cover business imperatives and challenges affecting the global economy and how sovereign wealth funds are well-positioned to influence and make an impact on broader sustainability goals and action plans. As discussions on climate-related issues evolve from commitments to execution in the recent COP26 UN Climate Change Conference, we unpack some of the key takeaways relevant for sovereign wealth funds.

Taking off from the guide Crypto around the World, the second of two episodes takes a closer look at market abuse, sustainability, decentralized finance and future developments. Sue McLean, a partner in our London office, talks to the team that started this project: Iris Barsan, counsel from our Paris office; Julian Hui, associate from our London office; and Chris Murrer, a US attorney in our Zurich office. They also cover specific regulatory and policy considerations, as well as the future impact of central bank digital currencies.

Episode 19: Crypto around the World (Part 2) Taking off from the guide Crypto around the World, the second of two episodes takes a closer look at market abuse, sustainability, decentralized finance and future developments. Sue McLean, a partner in our London office, talks to the team that started this project: Iris Barsan, counsel from our Paris office; Julian Hui, associate from our London office; and Chris Murrer, a US attorney in our Zurich office. They also cover specific regulatory and policy considerations, as well as the future impact of central bank digital currencies.

In this episode of FInsight, Baker McKenzie partners Daniela Fonseca Puggina from our Miami office and Jennifer Semko from our Washington D.C. office discuss litigation readiness for FIs. The episode also covers potential vulnerabilities and disputes that they need to prepare for, current and emerging trends in litigation (from our Litigation Intelligence Tool and Report), and how they can benefit from litigation preparedness.

In the latest episode of the Global Financial Industry Podcast, Baker McKenzie associates discuss: Sovereigns series – key principles of investment treaty protection. The episode covers recent examples of sovereign wealth fundsSWFs bringing investment treaty claims and how others can obtain access to these protections. The episode also analyzes why investors should consider investment treaties as part of their decision-making process.