Described as the ‘pre-eminent firm in APAC for fintech and financial services regulatory matters’, Allen & Gledhill LLP‘s practice runs the gamut of contentious and non-contentious work, including licensing and conduct of business requirements for banking, corporate finance and reorganisations in the financial services sector. Licensing advisory work for fintechs and crypto disputes are further areas of expertise for a team that frequently plays an active role in the consultation process for new regulations. Leadership duties are divided between Francis Mok, a practitioner who is described as standing ‘heads and shoulders above his competitors in the regulatory field’, Karen Tiah, who excels in banking and finance regulatory matters, the ‘incredibly helpful’ co-head of fintech Adrian Ang, and fellow fintech specialist Alexander Yap, who is a key contact for data breach matters. Catherine Neo is well equipped to advise on regulatory issues arising from the acquisition of regulated entities. Ensuring a smooth relationship exists between regulators and financial institutions is a staple of Zhi Feng Tan‘s far-reaching practice. Associate Alexander Fong Yi is a further name to note.

An impressive roster of national and international banking clients, leading fund managers and fintechs turn to the ‘great team’ at Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow for its ability to provide ‘practical solutions for regulatory applications in real life’, alongside a broad array of fintech mandates, with the team notably strong in payments work, data protection, privacy and cyber-security. Practice head Stephanie Magnus has a strong track record of advising on the use of technology by financial institutions. Eunice Tan advises across a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters in the financial services and fintech sectors. Banks, borrowers and sponsors seek out Kenneth Chuah for his expertise in cross-border financial transactions. Antitrust and competition expert Ken Chia has notable strength relating to cross-border payments, while ‘outstanding lawyer’ Ying Yi Liew is praised for being 'in touch with market developments and going the extra mile to understand client needs’.

Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP is well placed to give regulatory advice on novel financial projects, multi-jurisdictional transactions, and crowdfunding mandates. Payment services licence applications, NFT product offerings and the issuance of digital tokens are other notable areas of activity for the team, with venture capital fundraisings a further sweet spot. Capital markets expert Regina Liew co-heads the practice; she handles an array of advisory, transactional and enforcement matters for financial institutions and also has a strong fintech practice. Fellow co-head Larry Lim is highlighted for his expertise in licensing and regulatory clearances, open banking and real estate tokenisation. Benjamin Liew is adept at advising a wide range of financial institutions on issues such as China’s legislative framework for derivatives. Samuel Lim excels in matters relating to the Payment Services Act 2019.

The ‘very reliable team’ at WongPartnership LLP ‘keeps abreast with market developments’ such as blockchain-based stablecoins and platforms, the establishment of digital banks and telemedicine. The practice is also highlighted for its ability to assist digital assets service providers with their payment services licence applications. Co-head of the financial services regulation practice Elaine Chan is described as ‘commercially savvy’ and is well equipped to advise financial institutions on the regulatory implications of internal restructuring or M&A work. Joy Tan leads the firm’s corporate and regulatory investigations practice, with banking disputes and investigations a mainstay of her practice. Rosabel Ng is well versed in the regulation of derivatives and structured products. Technology expert Chung Nian Lam‘s practice is geared towards handling matters relating to software licensing, outsourcing and systems development. Sion Yoong Tian‘s broad practice covers ISDA master agreements and initial coin offerings.

Cavenagh Law LLP‘s formal law alliance with Clifford Chance sees the firm advise financial institutions on financial services regulatory issues and dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on investigations and enforcement. The practice is also well placed to represent clients in related litigation. Janice Goh is the key contact.

Praised for its expertise in ‘fintech and IBTRM regulations on all things related to IT and AI in the financial industry’, OC Queen Street is especially well regarded for its strength in the digital payments space. Decentralised protocols, digital platforms and fundraisings are additional areas of strength for the group. Practice chair Chia-Ling Koh frequently leverages his technical expertise to advertise on a broad spectrum of fintech matters, with product counselling standing out as an area of strength. Managing associate Norvin Chan, a lawyer whose coding ability has allowed him to build his own AI chatbot, is well versed in matters involving digital assets, including e-wallets.

Helmed by technology expert Chong Kin Lim, Drew & Napier LLC‘s fintech and payments regulatory practice has a good spread of experience relating to the structuring and implementation of payments solutions and a wide array of regulatory issues associated with the establishment and running of digital platforms. The firm has additionally seen an increase in instructions pertaining to ICOs and cryptocurrency in general. Payments specialist Benjamin Gaw has a strong track record in advisory work for emerging and established payments solutions providers, alongside fintech-related licensing and regulatory issues.

Shook Lin & Bok LLP combines expertise in fintech and financial services regulation with payment services regulation and data privacy. Fintech and business conduct requirements, licensing issues and anti-money laundering and sanctions advice are core pillars of the team’s financial services work. Andrea Ng heads up the fintech side of the practice and is skilled in advising on the regulatory regime surrounding token offerings. Eric Chan‘s regulatory practice extends to assisting financial institutions new to the Singapore market with obtaining the necessary approvals, authorisations or exemptions.

Led by cross-border private equity and M&A transactional specialist Daniel Yong, Withers KhattarWong LLP assists clients operating in the fintech space with private equity, financial and technology transactions and strategic alliances. Privacy and data security compliance and financial services and bank regulatory advisory work are further strengths of the multi-disciplinary team. Tech specialist Joel Shen leads the startups and emerging markets practice at the firm. His varied portfolio of work encompasses tax structuring matters and advice on investments in tech companies. Leong Chuo Ming further extends the corporate transactional expertise at the firm. Senior associate Yap Ling Man is another name to note.