Blockchain
Blockchain is emerging as a candidate for one of the major disruptive technologies of our time, with the potential to transform a huge number of industry sectors in the near future.
While many will have heard of blockchain, not everyone may appreciate fully the extent of its applications, its (current) practical limitations, or the unique legal challenges that it poses.
We focus on these issues and offer our insights into some of the potential uses for and issues associated with blockchain, distributed ledger technology and crypto-currencies. You can also read our overview of blockchain as a concept.
Article list
New bill and case law clarify path forward for digital assets in the UK
International Funds Legal Update | 19 April 2024
Fintech, digital assets, payments and consumer credit | UK Regulatory Outlook February 2024
DORA – New EU cybersecurity law for Crypto
Fintech Digital Assets Payments Consumer Credit | UK Regulatory Outlook January 2024
International Funds Legal Update | December 2023
International Funds Legal Update | 16 November 2023
New rules on marketing cryptoassets in the UK suffer teething issues
Fintech, Digital Assets, Payments and Consumer Credit | UK Regulatory Outlook October 2023
What is the impact of the recast EU Transfer of Funds Regulation on crypto-assets transfers?
What are the EU's white paper requirements in MiCAR and do they apply to Bitcoin?
UK OFSI issues first 'disclosure notice' censuring sanctions breach
Electronic Trade Documents Act paves way for digitalised trade in the UK
Singapore’s central bank finalises regulatory approach to stablecoins
Cryptocurrency tokens: should they be treated as a 'security' based on manner of sale?
Singapore proposes regulation for digital payment token services
Exploring the EU MiCAR crypto-asset transfer service
Law Commission report positions UK as a centre for digital asset disputes
What are the implications of the EU Data Act for smart contract operators?
Marketing cryptoassets in the UK? Prepare for new rules this autumn
HMRC consults on proposals to change the tax treatment of lending and staking tokens in the UK
Changing the tax treatment of decentralised finance lending and staking of cryptoassets could bring welcome certainty for VC and PE...
Defending claims against crypto exchanges in English law: the surprising benefit of turning up
MiCAR – the final scope of a long expected (future-proof) framework at Union level for crypto
EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation establishing regulatory framework is approved
UK government moves to regulate promotion of cryptoassets
Financial Conduct Authority lays down clear priorities for UK payments sector
New rules on advertisements for virtual currencies in Belgium
Is there a role for cryptoassets in the future of employee remuneration in the UK?
Blockchain in Singapore 2023: where are we now?
UK government publishes consultation on future financial services regulation of cryptoassets
How to protect against counterfeit goods in distressed supply chains
A look ahead for UK real estate in 2023
Crypto crisis begs the question in the UK: brave new world, same old problems?
Tokenisation of real estate: the way forward
Tokenisation of real estate: what are the barriers?
Tokenisation of real estate: an untapped opportunity
VC Focus | 10 digital token 'must knows' for international venture capital
What is the Ethereum 'Merge' and how will it make blockchain greener?
Law Commission launches digital assets consultation
New sanctions reporting obligation on crypto-asset exchanges and custodian wallet providers
Political agreement reached on the EU's Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation
Should blockchain's decentralised autonomous organisations be regulated or unregulated?
Crypto and blockchain in M&A: how to address issues around volatility, validity and valuation
Blockchain in the metaverse: what international regulatory challenges lie ahead?
The EU steps up the debate on a proposed regime for crypto-asset markets
Retail central bank digital currencies: are they inevitable if the metaverse is inescapable?
Not everyone's cup of NFT
Future living: How proptech is transforming home buying
Law Commission concludes English law supports smart contracts
Digitalisation | Five legal and regulatory predictions for 2022
Singapore cautiously weighs up the future of blockchain
Report on the UK's blockchain landscape confirms London as global hub
What are the legal issues around NFTs?
Metaverse Report
Cryptoexchange ordered to reveal account holder information linked to multi-million cryptocurrency fraud
Decision confirms English courts' willingness to assist victims of crypto-asset fraud in recovering their property
Why not all blockchain has a heavy carbon footprint
The carbon footprint of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has been making headlines recently. We explain what drives their energy consumption...
Can pension schemes invest in cryptocurrencies?
The recent increase in Bitcoin's price has renewed interest in cryptocurrencies, but what legal issues should trustees consider before investing?
UKJT consults on new Digital Dispute Resolution Rules for FinTechs
The UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) has proposed a new, faster and more flexible approach to dispute resolution tailored for disputes...
Cryptoassets case law homes in on location, location, location!
Slowly but surely the English courts are defining the legal status of cryptocurrencies by confirming the rights that go with...
Blockchain and its role in the fight against Covid
With the ability to provide a secure and reliable record of vaccine delivery, the technology is set to play a...
Real estate and blockchain: the transformative potential
The ledger technology promises to transform the way that real estate projects are run, our Paris-based experts argue in an...
Cryptoassets and smart contracts | What is their legal status under English law?
Innovators and investors in blockchain-based business models can take comfort from a recent analysis that cryptoassets can be a form...
Law Commission hits pause on smart contracts project, making way for LawTech Delivery Panel
The Law Society's LawTech Delivery Panel will be taking the lead role in investigating the role and regulation of smart...
Why blockchain matters to your business | Insights into the growth of private blockchains
Singapore Today – Payment Services Act: new Laws on cryptocurrencies and other digital payment tokens
The Payment Services Act (PSA) was passed by Parliament on 14 January 2019 and is projected to come into operation...
Blockchain and GDPR: beyond the right to be forgotten
In September 2018, the French data protection authority (CNIL) issued a report considering Blockchain technology from a personal data protection...
The Digital Revolution: Blockchain – the legal issues
Blockchain is already presenting new opportunities for businesses in a range of sectors - but how will it be regulated?
The Digital Revolution: How blockchain works
Blockchain is emerging as a candidate for one of the major disruptive technologies of our time – but what is...
The other side of the (bit)coin: the prudential treatment of crypto-assets
Much has been written on the topic of crypto-asset regulation from an issuer / intermediary perspective - is the crypto...
Singapore's regulators set pace for blockchain and fintech 'ecosystem' advances
New bill and case law clarify path forward for digital assets in the UK
International Funds Legal Update | 19 April 2024
Fintech, digital assets, payments and consumer credit | UK Regulatory Outlook February 2024
DORA – New EU cybersecurity law for Crypto
Fintech Digital Assets Payments Consumer Credit | UK Regulatory Outlook January 2024
International Funds Legal Update | December 2023
International Funds Legal Update | 16 November 2023
New rules on marketing cryptoassets in the UK suffer teething issues
Fintech, Digital Assets, Payments and Consumer Credit | UK Regulatory Outlook October 2023
What is the impact of the recast EU Transfer of Funds Regulation on crypto-assets transfers?
What are the EU's white paper requirements in MiCAR and do they apply to Bitcoin?
UK OFSI issues first 'disclosure notice' censuring sanctions breach
Electronic Trade Documents Act paves way for digitalised trade in the UK
Singapore’s central bank finalises regulatory approach to stablecoins
Cryptocurrency tokens: should they be treated as a 'security' based on manner of sale?
Singapore proposes regulation for digital payment token services
Exploring the EU MiCAR crypto-asset transfer service
Law Commission report positions UK as a centre for digital asset disputes
What are the implications of the EU Data Act for smart contract operators?
Marketing cryptoassets in the UK? Prepare for new rules this autumn
HMRC consults on proposals to change the tax treatment of lending and staking tokens in the UK
Changing the tax treatment of decentralised finance lending and staking of cryptoassets could bring welcome certainty for VC and PE...
Defending claims against crypto exchanges in English law: the surprising benefit of turning up
MiCAR – the final scope of a long expected (future-proof) framework at Union level for crypto
EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation establishing regulatory framework is approved
UK government moves to regulate promotion of cryptoassets
Financial Conduct Authority lays down clear priorities for UK payments sector
New rules on advertisements for virtual currencies in Belgium
Is there a role for cryptoassets in the future of employee remuneration in the UK?
Blockchain in Singapore 2023: where are we now?
UK government publishes consultation on future financial services regulation of cryptoassets
How to protect against counterfeit goods in distressed supply chains
A look ahead for UK real estate in 2023
Crypto crisis begs the question in the UK: brave new world, same old problems?
Tokenisation of real estate: the way forward
Tokenisation of real estate: what are the barriers?
Tokenisation of real estate: an untapped opportunity
VC Focus | 10 digital token 'must knows' for international venture capital
What is the Ethereum 'Merge' and how will it make blockchain greener?
Law Commission launches digital assets consultation
New sanctions reporting obligation on crypto-asset exchanges and custodian wallet providers
Political agreement reached on the EU's Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation
Should blockchain's decentralised autonomous organisations be regulated or unregulated?
Crypto and blockchain in M&A: how to address issues around volatility, validity and valuation
Blockchain in the metaverse: what international regulatory challenges lie ahead?
The EU steps up the debate on a proposed regime for crypto-asset markets
Retail central bank digital currencies: are they inevitable if the metaverse is inescapable?
Not everyone's cup of NFT
Future living: How proptech is transforming home buying
Law Commission concludes English law supports smart contracts
Digitalisation | Five legal and regulatory predictions for 2022
Singapore cautiously weighs up the future of blockchain
Report on the UK's blockchain landscape confirms London as global hub
What are the legal issues around NFTs?
Metaverse Report
Cryptoexchange ordered to reveal account holder information linked to multi-million cryptocurrency fraud
Decision confirms English courts' willingness to assist victims of crypto-asset fraud in recovering their property
Why not all blockchain has a heavy carbon footprint
The carbon footprint of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has been making headlines recently. We explain what drives their energy consumption...
Can pension schemes invest in cryptocurrencies?
The recent increase in Bitcoin's price has renewed interest in cryptocurrencies, but what legal issues should trustees consider before investing?
UKJT consults on new Digital Dispute Resolution Rules for FinTechs
The UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) has proposed a new, faster and more flexible approach to dispute resolution tailored for disputes...
Cryptoassets case law homes in on location, location, location!
Slowly but surely the English courts are defining the legal status of cryptocurrencies by confirming the rights that go with...
Blockchain and its role in the fight against Covid
With the ability to provide a secure and reliable record of vaccine delivery, the technology is set to play a...
Real estate and blockchain: the transformative potential
The ledger technology promises to transform the way that real estate projects are run, our Paris-based experts argue in an...
Cryptoassets and smart contracts | What is their legal status under English law?
Innovators and investors in blockchain-based business models can take comfort from a recent analysis that cryptoassets can be a form...
Law Commission hits pause on smart contracts project, making way for LawTech Delivery Panel
The Law Society's LawTech Delivery Panel will be taking the lead role in investigating the role and regulation of smart...
Why blockchain matters to your business | Insights into the growth of private blockchains
Singapore Today – Payment Services Act: new Laws on cryptocurrencies and other digital payment tokens
The Payment Services Act (PSA) was passed by Parliament on 14 January 2019 and is projected to come into operation...
Blockchain and GDPR: beyond the right to be forgotten
In September 2018, the French data protection authority (CNIL) issued a report considering Blockchain technology from a personal data protection...
The Digital Revolution: Blockchain – the legal issues
Blockchain is already presenting new opportunities for businesses in a range of sectors - but how will it be regulated?
The Digital Revolution: How blockchain works
Blockchain is emerging as a candidate for one of the major disruptive technologies of our time – but what is...
The other side of the (bit)coin: the prudential treatment of crypto-assets
Much has been written on the topic of crypto-asset regulation from an issuer / intermediary perspective - is the crypto...