TechCrunch was proud to host Wilson Sonsini at TC Sessions: Crypto 2022 in Miami
Breakout Session: In Review
The legal issues associated with crypto and web3 are complex. Tech companies may need to consider balancing the ethos of the blockchain industry with protecting their revenue models and reducing regulatory risk. How are they structuring financings — with equity or tokens or both? How can they protect their IP in an open-source world? What contracts do they need with customers and service partners? And what are the best ways to operate within regulatory uncertainty and an anticipated wave of enforcement actions? Leading attorneys from a variety of practice groups at Wilson Sonsini, one of the pathbreaking law firms in the crypto space, addressed these and other questions, including questions from the audience.
Speakers
Amy Caiazza, Partner and Practice Group Leader, Fintech & Financial Services at Wilson Sonsini
Amy Caiazza, a securities, fintech and blockchain partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, is the leader of the firm’s fintech and financial services group. She advises clients on regulatory and transactional matters involving the securities and commodities laws. Caiazza specializes in structuring innovative fintech platforms to minimize regulatory requirements while advancing a company’s business goals. She frequently works with companies using new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, to provide investment services. Caiazza led the regulatory work for the first Regulation A-qualified token offerings and registered one of the first robo-advisers for digital assets. She was recognized as a 2022 Fintech Trailblazer by the National Law Journal.
Jonathan Chan, Of Counsel Corporate, at Wilson Sonsini
Jonathan Chan serves as corporate counsel to dozens of crypto companies and investors in formation and financing matters at Wilson Sonsini. Chan was previously a co-founder and COO of a fintech startup and senior director of business development at Electronic Arts.
Neel Maitra, Partner of Fintech & Financial Services at Wilson Sonsini
Neel Maitra is a corporate partner and member of the securities regulatory and complex transactions group in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he advises clients on the comprehensive and unique range of matters that concern the blockchain, crypto and fintech industries. He is an expert on the complex and fast-evolving regulatory landscape of digital assets and other cutting-edge financial technologies. Prior to joining the firm, Maitra was a senior special counsel and the crypto specialist in the Division of Trading and Markets at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He became one of the agency’s key experts on a range of crypto issues and developments, including initial coin offerings, broker-dealer regulation of cryptocurrency companies and innovative trading platforms.
Scott McKinney, Partner of Technology Transactionsat Wilson Sonsini
Scott McKinney is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where he is a member of the firm’s technology transactions practice. He represents companies of all sizes in complex commercial and technology transactions and advises technology companies and their investors at all stages of company development, from pioneering start-ups to leading global enterprises. McKinney focuses his practice on new and emerging technologies, including blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs, the metaverse, AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles, machine learning, e-gaming, fintech, digital payments, cryptocurrency, digital health and other new technologies. He is also a professor at Columbia Law School, where he teaches a class he created on new and emerging technologies, including NFTs, the metaverse, blockchain and smart contracts.
Watch the Breakout Session