A&O Shearman‘s team covers the whole regulatory waterfront and is a pre-eminent adviser to financial regulatory institutions and also has a strong focus on the start-up and fintech space. The firm also has a premium asset manager and sovereign wealth fund offering, assisting clients with governance, international deployment of capital, and advice on the regulatory aspects of large shareholdings. Team lead Jodi Norman is a specialist in investment banking and capital markets, with key expertise in DFM and ADX. Victoria Ferres predominantly concentrates on the retail side, handling e-money, e-wallets and cryptocurrency issues.

Clifford Chance is 'consistently on the most high-profile innovative regional deals' and is frequently a first choice for financial institutions for a variety of regulatory advice. The firm has strong synergies with its top-tier technology practice and acts for an array of clients in the fintech space and the team  also assists the GCC's largest asset managers with the establishment of funds while overseeing the accompanying licensing and cross-border marketing arrangements. Jack Hardman, who stands out for his ability to handle the complex tech aspects of financial mandates, and Cheuk-Yin Cheung, who handles asset-backed collateralised financings, jointly head the practice. Senior associate James Dadford has an impressive track record on fintech mandates.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team has ‘profound experience in regulatory affairs and a knowledge of best practices and regulatory expectations’. The team covers traditional financial services, fintech and cryptocurrency mandates, and the group also assists financial institutions with compliance and regulatory regimes, and acts for corporates on investigations and allegations by regulatory bodies. Matthew Shanahan brings in-house regulatory expertise to bear on a number of complex instructions for domestic and international clients. Counsel Andre Abou Aad handles a range of financial regulatory issues. Junior associate Hasanali Pirbhai is a strong supporting presence on a number of matters, and counsel Karl Masi joined the team in early 2024.

Pinsent Masons LLP is a market-leading adviser to clients on digital asset mandates, specialising in blockchain technology, data protection and innovative payment processes. The team also assists banks with navigating the regulatory landscape, advising on compliance and approval proceedings. Practice head Tom Bicknell is a highly experienced regulatory expert who is  'well connected, entrepreneurial and solutions orientated'. Associate Barkha Doshi has supported on work for start-ups, financial institutions and established industry players.

Al Tamimi & Company serves as local adviser to government organisations, financial institutions and major international corporations. The firm utilises its close connections with regulators and authorities in the UAE to assist clients, especially in the fintech space. Jody Waugh, who is noted for his e-commerce and digital platforms expertise, and Divya Abrol Gambhir, who has a strong track record handling fintech and licensing, jointly head the practice. Senior counsel Ali Awad  has been largely focused on mandates pertaining to the establishment of banks and senior associate Sarah El Serafy works closely with key regulators and government authorities in Egypt, Qatar and the UAE on a range of issues.

Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP advises a wide range of clients in the fintech and crypto space on establishing operations in the UAE, and also assists guide asset managers with the private equity and the novel fund management side. Leveraging experience as a senior legal counsel at the Dubai Financial Services Authority, regulatory specialist Philip Clarke is well placed to advise banks and financial institutions on defending allegations and in investigations by regulatory bodies, as well as aiding businesses through their regulatory concerns, with particular expertise in digital assets.

White & Case LLP works with some of the largest tech companies in the world on their novel projects in the UAE and also advises asset managers on regulatory and compliance concerning the setting up of operations and investments in the region. Practice head Stefan Mrozinski is particularly well-regarded for his fintech expertise. Associates Arnold Krutilins and Gabrielle Lowe advise on financial services regulation, funds and funds regulation, and compliance and tech issues. Adrianus Schoorl left the firm.

Baker McKenzie LLP bolstered its team with the hire of Samir-Safar Aly from White & Case LLP; he 'excels in diverse legal domains, notably fintech, AI, and government advisory, with a truly international profile'. Samir brings experience to an already considerable bench of lawyers active in this space, including department lead Mazen Boustany, who frequently advises on licensing applications. Senior associate Tala Shomar is also active in a number of matters.

Bird & Bird has notable strength in digital assets, cryptocurrency, and blockchain, where it is sought out by fintech clients. The team also advises sovereign and government-backed asset management funds on high-stakes financial matters and also assists clients with navigating regulations. Practice head Gregory Man has been active in instructions pertaining to e-wallet and mobile payments, cross-border token transfers, and the development of secondary trading platforms - among others work. Associate Jessica White is also noted.

CMS handles a steady stream of mandates pertaining to digital and crypto currencies, regulatory structuring, innovative payment solutions and payment infrastructure, and investigations and enforcement actions guidance. The firm also handles cross-border instructions, often involving Saudi Arabia. Gabriella Savastano, who joined the practice in September 2022 after several years working in-house at Macquarie, works closely with banks, asset managers and fintech start-ups on a wide range of regulatory issues.

Hadef & Partners advises on an array of regulatory concerns, including corporate structures, insolvency, security laws and compliance issues. The firm has close connections to a series of key financial authorities and governmental bodies and is retained to advise on the development and launch of new regulatory frameworks. Catriona McDevitt heads the practice and is particularly proficient in the virtual assets and cryptocurrency space, working with a diverse and wide range of clients. Associate Aziz Yasini is also noted.

KARM Legal Consultants has carved out a niche in the virtual assets space, often acting for start-ups and fintech clients on various issues. Kokila Alagh is skilled at advising overseas corporates on establishing operations in the UAE, guiding these entities through licence applications, contract and document reviewing, and compliance concerns. Akshata Namjoshi has an impressive track record setting up cryptocurrency exchanges and the deployment of public and enterprise blockchain and Soumya George is predominantly focused on regulatory filings.

Simmons & Simmons Middle East LLP is frequently instructed by asset managers, hedge funds, and large financial institutions for financial regulatory advice, including digital asset and fintech issues. The firm also has a notable understanding of neighbouring markets, particularly Saudi Arabia, where it assists with regulatory issues. Practice head Muneer Khan advises on compliance, investigations and digital asset matters, and also assists clients with reforming internal regulations. Managing associate Adam Wolstenholme is also noted.