Overview
Blockchain technology is dramatically transforming the way we do business, particularly in the areas of financial services, securities, and corporate transactions. However, both the technology and the laws governing it are highly complex, requiring sophisticated legal and technical skill - and an insider's understanding of the ever-evolving regulatory space.
Gowling WLG is home to Canada's leading blockchain legal practice, comprising lawyers who are strongly qualified to advise clients on a broad range of legal issues related to blockchain technology. From initial coin offerings to consumer protection issues, our team can help you overcome the latest challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.
Here are just a few examples of what sets us apart when it comes to blockchain and smart contracts:
Blockchain pioneers
Gowling WLG leads the industry in blockchain. We are the only international law firm to be a founding partner and co-founding member of the Blockchain Research Institute, a multi-million dollar knowledge network led by Don and Alex Tapscott that studies the strategic implications of blockchain alongside the Bank of Canada, Nasdaq, the TMX Group, IBM, KPMG, Bell Canada and others.
Gowling WLG has also broken new ground in the listing of the first blockchain company in the world, and one of our practitioners coordinated the very first token sale offered as a security by way of an Offering Memorandum across Canada in accordance with Canadian securities laws.
In addition, our team is often called upon to brief and advise cabinet ministers, mayors and other high-ranking corporate executives on the state of blockchain technology in Canada and around the world.
Full service offering
Our Blockchain & Smart Contracts Group offers clients a broad range of legal services to help them overcome the latest challenges and take advantage of new opportunities. Our experienced lawyers frequently advise on blockchain matters related to:
- Initial coin offerings (ICOs)
- Crypto-currency exchanges
- Digital wallets
- Securities law compliance
- Capital markets transactions (e.g., underwriting and going public transactions and crowdfunding/online investment platforms)
- Investment fund formation
- Business operations
- Tax
- Anti-money laundering (AML)/know your client (KYC) compliance
- Litigation
- M&A and other corporate transactions
- Insolvency and restructuring
- Patents and other intellectual property matters
- Consumer protection compliance
- Banking law
- Real estate law
In addition, our practitioners are working on matters that touch on blockchain's foundational impact on identity, provenance, fraud suppression, cyber security, supply chain management and the internet of things, as well as blockchain's disruptive implications for such diverse domains as finance, insurance, law, healthcare, accounting, real estate, entertainment and law enforcement.
Our clients include leading digital wallets, crypto-currency exchanges, investment funds seeking to invest in crypto-currencies or crypto-assets, and key blockchain pioneers.
Global reach
With offices in 19 cities in Canada, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and an extensive referral network spanning more than 30 countries, Gowling WLG is equipped to support your domestic and cross-border blockchain legal needs in jurisdictions around the world.
Thought leaders
Our lawyers are blockchain thought leaders and are sought-after speakers at key blockchain industry events and conferences in Canada and internationally. Gowling WLG has also hosted a number of its own well-attended blockchain seminars for clients.
Unmatched legal team
Our team comprises seasoned practitioners from all legal disciplines, including capital markets, financial services, tax, and intellectual property. Our top-ranked litigation team, in particular, includes leading commercial litigators, former prosecutors at the Ontario Securities Commission and former Crown Attorneys. Our lawyers have also developed exceptionally strong relationships with government agencies, including through their work on significant regulatory committees such as the Ontario Securities Commission Securities Advisory Committee and the Small and Medium Enterprises Committee
Highlights
Client work
- Advised on the transaction that resulted in the world's first public listing of a blockchain company, bringing BTL Group to market on the TSX-V.
- Counsel to one of the co-founders of Ethereum, now one of the largest crypto-currencies in the world.
- Currently acting as lead counsel on a high volume of initial coin offerings (ICOs) / token sales with blockchain projects relating to all industry sectors, including infrastructure, construction, property management and energy.
- Counsel to several investment funds seeking to invest in crypto-currencies or crypto-assets (such as tokens and other blockchain startups), including fund formation, securities registration and compliance, downstream investments and M&A.
- Counsel on novel patent applications for several banks and other blockchain pioneers.
- Trademark agent to a crypto-currency bitcoin exchange and internet financial services company with respect to the registration in Canada and the US of its new exchange trademark.
- Counsel to leading Canadian crypto-exchanges and digital wallets, as well as leading players in India and Australia seeking Canadian legal advice.
- Counsel to a leading full-service blockchain technology company, in ongoing tax, GST, transfer pricing and corporate commercial matters.
Media highlights
- Blockchain Research Institute gains support from three levels of government and private sector - IT World Canada
- Gowling supports Blockchain Research Institute - Financial Post
