Overview
Blockchain technology has moved from the edge of financial innovation to its core. The stakes are high, and the risks real: fast-changing regulatory and compliance requirements, expanding security and operational threats, and dramatic market fluctuations. But the opportunities are undeniable—with the right team by your side.
The Manatt team understands what moves this market because we’ve been part of the digital asset ecosystem from the start. We advise crypto-native protocols and business, asset managers and traditional financial institutions as they build, scale, and invest in the blockchain economy. Our team combines deep regulatory knowledge with commercial and technical fluency—delivering counsel that is both practical and forward-looking.
“The practice, which is lauded by clients for its ‘responsiveness’, is also knowledgeable of decentralized finance, NFTs, and regulatory compliance.” —Legal500 US
Manatt delivers legal and business frameworks that support our clients’ expansion, fundraising and product evolution. We guide clients at every stage of development, from concept to commercialization, and we serve as outside general counsel to dozens of leading crypto-native platforms and exchanges, offering integrated advice across:
- Protocol and platform development and launch
- Token distributions
- Venture financing and SAFE arrangements
- Fund formation, compensation and advisory structures
- Foundation structuring
- Liquidity, listing and market making arrangements
- Digital asset treasury and custody
- Regulatory advisory
- DAO governance
- NFT drops and resales
- Advertising, brand, influencer and sponsorship agreements
Clients choose Manatt because we bring the best of both worlds: deep, crypto-native knowledge and the cross-practice resources of a national law firm. Our lawyers work across corporate, tax, finance, securities, IP, data privacy and litigation to offer cohesive, enterprise-level advice.
Through close collaboration across corporate, finance, tax, IP, privacy and litigation practices, we offer the comprehensive support clients need as they grow and mature.
We work closely with venture investors, founders, and legal teams to deliver guidance that’s agile, informed and always grounded in the realities of the blockchain economy.
For both U.S.-based and international blockchain companies, entering and expanding in the U.S. market means facing a complex and evolving regulatory landscape. Manatt offers trusted guidance on U.S. legal frameworks, regulatory regimes and enforcement risks.
Our deep relationships with key regulators—including the New York Department of Financial Services and California’s Department of Financial Protection and Innovation—enable us to deliver practical, forward-looking advice on:
- State and federal enforcement issues
- Broker-dealer and securities regulation
- Money services business and money transmitter compliance
- BitLicense registration
- Lender and money transmitter licenses
- Taxation and onshore/offshore jurisdictional strategy
- Regulatory compliance and risk management
- Responding to investigations
Clients
Blockchain Finance (BlockFi)
Centrifuge, Inc.
Compound Labs
Davoa Capital
DRW Holdings
GMO-Z.com Trust LLC
Kraken
Market Rebellion/Voyager Digital
Awards
