CMS | Legal Expertise Across the Fintech Market
Profile
CMS leads the London fintech market with a comprehensive range of services, supported by Europe’s largest technology practice and a top-tier financial services practice. We assist clients across the full spectrum of fintech, including financial institutions, banks, insurers, broker-dealers, investment managers, platforms, exchanges, payment service providers, consumer finance, and cryptocurrency firms. Our diverse team excels in both non-contentious and contentious matters, showcasing extensive expertise.
Our advice encompasses various fintech areas, focusing on innovative payment solutions, electronic money, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets. We cover critical topics such as robo-advisors, cloud and AI deployment, online investment platforms, and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, along with initial coin offerings (ICOs), security token offerings (STOs), digital identity, and fraud prevention.
Additionally, CMS has developed equIP, a program specifically for start-ups, providing essential support to help them scale successfully. This initiative offers access to high-quality legal advice, training, mentoring, and networking opportunities across multiple jurisdictions. With equIP, start-ups receive the foundational support needed to navigate complex legal landscapes and seize growth opportunities globally.
Leveraging our global network of experts, we manage complex cross-border projects seamlessly. Our integrated approach combines global reach with local insights, ensuring clients receive unparalleled support tailored to their needs. By fostering innovation and collaboration, CMS empowers both established financial institutions and emerging start-ups in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.
Location/s
90 offices in over 50 countries and 7,400+ lawyers worldwide
Company size
250+ Employees
Founded
1999
Expertise
We provide legal services which cover a broad range of fintech areas including:
Regulation and RegTech
Innovation, Crowdfunding and Cryptocurrencies
Data Protection
Debt and Equity Funding
Payments
Fundraising
M&A transactions
Outsourcing, IP & commercial contracts
Start-up scale-up (equIP)
Clients
Types of clients we work with:
Incumbent banks on fintech projects
Fintech businesses
Investors in fintech businesses
Technology companies working in fintech
Digital assets platforms
Crypto issuers and exchanges
Fintech market infrastructure providers
Start-ups and scale-ups
Retail and sports brands setting up in the metaverse, looking at accepting sponsorship from crypto companies and assessing those companies, accepting payment in crypto, and
Financial Institutions exploring blockchain and crypto, working with law enforcement, stopping scams, etc.
Testimonials
They are very commercial and look through the legal weeds to the nub of the issue from a practical perspective.
Chambers FinTech Legal 2026
CMS' lawyers are diligent, outcome focused and true innovation enablers.
Chambers UK 2026: Financial Services Payments Law
CMS has a huge depth of experience. It is a very strong crypto and digital assets team. They are really ahead of the game in resourcing early with a robust team.
Chambers FinTech Legal 2026: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
The CMS team has unrivalled knowledge and experience of the complexities of regulation for innovative finance companies. Their direct involvement in the development of regulatory policy gives them a unique and grounded perspective on the realities of regulatory compliance and risks for businesses operating in both emergent and established fintech sectors.
Legal 500 UK 2026: Fintech- regulatory
The team has fantastic global reach with high-calibre lawyers who are quick to grasp legal issues, understand client needs and issue commercial and effective legal advice.
Legal 500 UK 2026: Fintech: corporate and commercial