Technology is evolving the financial services industry. From fintech disruptors developing new platforms, products and services, to established domestic and multinational companies using technologies to change how they consume and deliver services to their customers. 

We help our clients navigate the evolving digital economy and regulatory landscape and seize strategic opportunities in fintech. Clients rely on us for our creative problem-solving and for our practical, business-first approach. We have extensive experience advising on domestic and cross-border fintech deals, scaling fintechs, regulatory issues and other related matters. 

A Team With Deep Bench Strength

With strong, multi-disciplinary expertise, our team advises fintech companies on financial regulation, securities, commercialization of IT (platforms, cloud, data management and AI), digital currencies (crypto and bitcoin—mining, staking and exchanges), intellectual property, data governance and privacy, tax, corporate commercial, corporate finance, private equity, M&A and asset tracing. 

Our fintech group is backed by nearly 500 Bennett Jones lawyers and advisors across Canada, including those in private equity and capital markets, employment, corporate governance, litigation and dispute resolution. 

Strategic Legal Guidance at All Stages

• Business first: Fintech can be complicated, with novel and evolving technology, changing business models, emerging regulatory landscapes and competitive threats. Clients cannot afford risk-averse or inexperienced counsel detached from business realities. We understand our clients' value proposition, business objectives and technical solutions—and we partner with our clients as an integrated, trusted advisor to get the deal done.
• Seeing opportunities from all angles: We work regularly with established and emerging fintechs, investors, financial institutions, government agencies, regulatory authorities and ancillary service providers. This breadth gives us a 360-degree perspective on the commercial and technical realities, risks and opportunities across fintech sectors and allows us to proactively advise our clients on what may lie ahead.
• Expertise for the entire life cycle: Our team assists at every stage of the business lifecycle—including innovating and developing business models, commercializing and scaling solutions, complying with (and anticipating) regulations, protecting intellectual property, attracting investment and raising capital, making acquisitions (and divestitures) and executing on exit strategies.
• Relationships with regulators and policy-makers: Bennett Jones has strong relationships with the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), the Canadian Securities Administrators and other securities and financial institution regulatory authorities, broker/dealer authorities, stock exchanges and policy influencers such as the Department of Finance, Bank of Canada and industry groups. These relationships give us a broad understanding of the changing regulatory landscape, now and in the future, regionally, provincially, federally and internationally, to help attain compliance and mitigate regulatory risk.

Our Clients

Bennett Jones' fintech client base is diverse. We give sound legal guidance to clients of all types, including, domestic and international fintech companies, digital asset and cryptocurrency startups, investment banks, private equity firms, fintech funds and financial institutions. We also advise law firms outside Canada when their clients need expertise on Canada's laws and regulations. 

Expertise in Crypto Litigation

Bennett Jones' Litigation and Dispute Resolution team works across multiple-practice areas including fraud, cross-border litigation, class-actions, securities, contentious insolvencies, white collar crime, competition and intellectual property. We have particular experience in disputes arising in relation to cryptocurrency and provide swift, strategic and comprehensive advice in complex and urgent situations. Our well-integrated practice groups allow our crypto litigation lawyers to address the full range of legal issues that may arise in a crypto-related dispute. 

We are co-founders of the North American Chapter of CFAAR (Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery Network) and are members of the International Fraud Group (a 50-jurisdiction network of carefully selected asset recovery lawyers).

Our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team has been named Litigation/Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year at the 2022 Chambers Canada Awards. This award is testament to the level of dedication and creative solutions our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team gives to its clients.