Finnius‘ ‘excellent subject matter expertise’ encompasses EU and Dutch regulations governing AML and terror financing obligations, licensing requirements, and the frameworks governing cross-border corporate transactions. The firm also handles dealings with regulators, including litigation when the need arises. The latter forms the core of Guido Roth‘s practice, which covers challenges to DNB and AFM decisions. Bart Bierman is well versed in EU banking and capital requirements regulations, with Rosemarijn Labeur and Tim de Wit specialising in the regulations governing investment funds. Labeur is also well versed in the frameworks governing consumer credit and the EU’s SFDR.

Dutch and international banks, insurers and fintechs alike rely on NautaDutilh for assistance with a variety of regulatory issues, including advice on European prudential regulations, the securing of operational licenses for payment systems and new customer platforms, and the implementation of ESG requirements. Larissa Silverentand acts for fintechs looking to launch new products, while Frans van der Eerden‘s expertise lies in sustainability frameworks including SFDR, in addition to his focus on capital requirements. Jasha Sprecher assists investment firms and trading platforms in maintaining compliance with securities law and helps new market entrants obtain licenses. Sven Uiterwijk advises a range of financial services clients on the EU’s incoming DORA regulations and also has experience of regulations governing tokenisation transactions.

Stibbe‘s financial regulation team counts major banks, insurers and investment firms amongst its clients, representing them in investigations by and litigation against the DNB and AFM, and also assists new market entrants secure licenses for their operations in the Netherlands. Practice co-head Rogier Raas has considerable experience acting opposite Dutch regulators and is also tasked with overseeing financial service providers’ ongoing compliance with regulatory frameworks. Alongside him is Roderik Vrolijk, a specialist in the launch of new financial and fintech products, who also advises payment systems companies on the regulatory aspects of M&A deals.

A&O Shearman is adept at both non-contentious regulatory matters, including structural issues arising out of mergers of financial institutions and the licensing of new financial products, as well as disputes between banks, insurers and fintechs and the DNB and AFM. Practice head Pien Kerckhaert is frequently instructed by financial services clients undergoing mergers, where she handles negotiations with regulators, and is also adept at handling matters that fall under EU regulatory structures. Pien van Vliet advises clients on entry into the Dutch market in addition to handling mergers between banks and insurers, amongst others.

Clifford Chance‘s Amsterdam-based team is frequently instructed on pan-European regulatory matters, liaising with Dutch and European supervisory bodies in relation to mergers in the financial services sector. The firm is also able to assist start-ups and market entrants obtain the appropriate licenses to operate in the Netherlands. Marian Scheele specialises in advising fintechs, ranging from banks to cryptocurrency firms on securing licenses, corporate structuring and governance issues. Practice head Jurgen van der Meer advises on the regulatory aspects of capital issuances.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek acts for both banks and other financial services clients, most notably insurers and investment firms across a broad spectrum of regulatory challenges, ranging from initial licensing applications to the merger of regulated entities, prudential oversight and litigation arising out of insolvencies or allegations of fraud. Heading the team is Mariska Enzerink, a specialist in the frameworks governing private equity investments who also advises on corporate structuring and governance. Eva Schram advises banks on capital requirements under Dutch and EU law and is also well versed in pension matters. Mariken van Loopik left the firm in October 2024, following Else Rowel‘s departure in September.

DLA Piper‘s regulatory team works closely with the firm’s litigators and tax specialists to take on a broad variety of challenges, ranging from Dutch and European prudential and disclosure requirements to AML strictures and the licensing of new entrants to the Dutch market. Practice head Paul Hopman represents financial institutions, including banks and insurers, when facing investigations by the DNB, and also liaises with the central bank on behalf of market entrants seeking operating licenses. Aline Kiers assists crypto exchanges and other fintechs obtain licenses and meet AML regulations.

Linklaters offers ‘exceptional expertise’ across a range of regulatory challenges, including liaising with the AFM to secure EMI and payment services licences for clients, while also assisting clients in maintaining compliance with AML frameworks and international sanctions. October 2024 saw the firm strengthen its licensing expertise with the arrival from De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek of Mariken van Loopik. Practice head Bas Jennen maintains a broad approach to regulatory issues, assisting clients with governance issues and prudential requirements.

Loyens & Loeff‘s regulatory practice brings together expertise in the frameworks governing banks, funds and insurance companies, advising on the merger of regulated financial services companies, product launches and representing clients facing investigations by regulators. Practice head Martijn Schoonewille is adept at ensuring mergers between inter alia, banks and payment systems companies meet Dutch and EU requirements. Wendy Pronk is well versed in regulations governing investment funds, including AIFMD and MiFID II, and is also instructed by fintechs across a range of regulatory issues. Kitty Lieverse retired in January 2024.

Norton Rose Fulbright offers ‘practical regulatory advice’ to banking, fund and fintech sector clients, assisting them in negotiating licenses with the Dutch supervisory authorities, representing them in the face of enforcement actions and supporting them in achieving compliance with EU regulations, including DORA and MiCA. Floortje Nagelkerke, whose expertise lies in Dutch licensing and reporting requirements and with a growing focus on cryptocurrency regulations, heads the group. Nikolai de Koning is active at the intersection of payment and data protection regulations.

Simmons & Simmons offers clients ‘practical and actionable advice’ in relation to the regulatory requirements placed upon asset managers, banks and fintechs, including those in the cryptocurrency space. In particular the firm is sought out by banks for its expertise in capital relief transactions, but is also able to handle the regulatory aspects of M&A deals in the financial services sector and advise asset managers on risk management in relation to their portfolios. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Rezah Stegeman leads the group, advising on EMIR and CSDR stipulations and assisting with the drafting of investment management agreements.

Baker McKenzie is well positioned to advise fintech clients from the payments services and digital banking sectors, assisting them in obtaining operating licenses from the AFM and DNB and in maintaining adherence to Dutch and EU regulatory frameworks, including PSD3. The practice is headed by Tim Alferink, who advises established banking clients on ongoing compliance with prudential requirements in addition to helping start-ups enter the market.

CMS is often instructed by payment service providers and other financial services clients on matters ranging from license applications to AML compliance and the launch of new consumer products. Practice head Tessa Penninks is particularly well versed in the payment services arena, advising on PSD2 and the upcoming PSD3, while also assisting with licensing matters in the Netherlands and EU passporting requirements. Laurens Pronk is noted for his knowledge of AML and sanctions regulations.

Hart advocaten N.V. is frequently sought out by clients facing investigations by the AFM and DFB, handling appeals against fines levied for AML and sanctions violations. The practice is also sought out for assistance with ongoing governance procedures tied to financial products. Frank ‘t Hart is an expert in the duties of care owed by financial service providers to customers, representing clients accused of violating said regulations. Hart leads the team with Laura Stortelder, who provides further litigious capacity.

Houthoff‘s ‘eye for detail’ allows it to oversee clients’ ongoing regulatory obligations, handling matters of AML compliance and risk assessments for their Dutch and European operations. Berry van Wijk steers the team’s efforts, helping financial services clients implement regulatory requirements and liaising with regulators on their behalf. Lisanne Haarman assists with regulations governing payment services and cryptocurrencies.

Bird & Bird stands out for its expertise in advising fintechs and public bodies on regulations governing cryptocurrency transactions and the use of blockchain in transactions. Marjolein Geus is noted for her experience in the tech sector, advising fintechs on the tokenisation of assets and the implementation of blockchain into transactions and risk management procedures. Pauline Kuipers represents clients facing regulatory enforcement proceedings, while Roger van Buuren specialises on advising on regulatory issues tied to the financing of infrastructure and energy projects.

bureau Brandeis has considerable experience in representing clients facing regulatory or civil proceedings brought by the AFM and DNB and customers respectively, covering banks’ duties of care to customers, while also helping clients to mitigate the risks of litigation via risk assessments and sanctions compliance advice. The team is led by Simone Peek, who advises financial services companies and individual directors facing regulatory investigations.

FIZ advocaten B.V. is the first port of call for a number of fund managers requiring advice on AIFMD and SFDR guidelines and AML frameworks, while also supporting payment processors and e-money institutions with their licence applications. Team head Michiel Claassen assists a range of fintechs and investment funds with AML compliance procedures and their dealings with the AFM and DNB.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer‘s regulatory team saw considerable growth in 2024, starting with the January 2024 arrival of A&O Shearman‘s Daphne van der Houwen, who specialises in the regulatory aspects of financial services M&A and the frameworks governing digital assets. She co-heads the team alongside Harald Spruit, who advises on governance and transactional matters. July 2024 saw further reinforcement, with Casper Westerink joining from Hart advocaten N.V., focusing on AML and sanctions compliance.

Lexence is well versed in the regulations laid out in the AIFMD regime, advising funds on its transparency and reporting guidelines and handling the regulatory aspects of fund and corporate transactions. The team is headed by Charles Destrée, who combines expertise of fund structuring with a knowledge of the AIFMD, EMIR and SFDR frameworks.

Investment funds and trading platforms are some of the clients that rely on Orange Clover Law for regulatory guidance, supporting fund managers in complying with AIFMD regulations and preparing them for the implementation of DORA and cryptocurrency frameworks. Practice head Alex Gonzalez assists asset managers with ongoing regulatory compliance and is also able to handle dealings with the DNB and AFM. Joyce Kerkvliet departed the firm in December 2024.

Van Benthem & Keulen‘s regulatory practice grew in January 2024, with Dennis Apperloo joining from HVG Law LLP and augmenting the firm’s AML and sanctions advice. He joins as team co-head alongside Frank Richel, whose speciality lies in supporting a broad range of financial service providers, ranging from banks to insurers and funds on supervisory regulations and regulatory litigation.

Van Doorne acts for a diverse client base, ranging from banks and investment funds to companies wishing to launch first-time consumer financial products, and is able to assist them with obtaining the relevant licenses. Jelmer Baukema is sought after by non-bank lenders in relation to peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding models, while Daan Horsthuis is well versed in AIFMD and MiFID requirements. Representation in enforcement proceedings fall under the remit of Neyah van der Aa, with Sijbren Kuiper offering expertise in pension regulations, included related disputes.