Blockchain
Recently, blockchain technology has been receiving attention in a variety of ways. There are constantly dramatic fluctuations in various cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin) markets. There have also been some major hacks that have affected the market (e.g. the Coincheck incident in Japan). Crypto asset business models have evolved accordingly with these changes and have been implementing new types of business models. While some jurisdictions are starting to crack down on initial coin offerings (ICOs) from a securities law perspective (e.g. the United States), many other jurisdictions around the world (e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, Malta, Luxembourg) have been passing progressive legislation to encourage ICOs and STOs to occur within its borders. It is also important to remember that blockchain technology has many other applications other than cryptocurrency. Blockchain is now being used by banks, FinTech businesses, big data businesses, and supply chain business models.
As a leading law firm responsible for corporate legal affairs, ZeLo seeks to assist companies in Japan and the rest of the world in using blockchain technology, which is said to be the next revolution after the Internet. We offer a wide range of services for blockchain businesses by providing legal advice on the regulations in various jurisdictions that enable crypto-asset business models as well as applications of blockchain technology.
Services
- Legal review of blockchain-related business models
- Registration of cryptocurrency exchange service providers
- Structuring and negotiate financing transactions that involve cryptocurrency, such as ICOs, IEOs, STOs
- Drafting and reviewing legal opinions and any other necessary documents for implementing blockchain-based business models
Accomplishments
- Masataka Ogasawara (Japanese lawyer) has been appointed as the Legal Adviser of the Japan Blockchain Association
- Prior to the changes in the Payment Service Act, we assisted various companies to successful ICOs
- Masaya Uchino (US lawyer) has been structuring cross-border security token offering business models in the United States with both Japanese and foreign companies
- Provided legal advice on the differences of cryptocurrency regulations in different jurisdictions around the world, including their various tax regimes
- Rendered legal advice to various cryptocurrency exchanges regarding registration issues
- Legal review of business models related to lending services of crypto-assets
- Legal review of business models related to the use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in the world of Art & Tech
- Structured and legal review of business models related to blockchain games that utilize NFTs
- Assisted and negotiated mergers & acquisitions of various crypto-asset exchanges, including undertaking legal due diligence
- Currently advising over fifty (50) blockchain-related businesses as their outside legal counsel
