Blockchain technology, digital assets and decentralised infrastructure are reshaping how businesses transfer value, manage ownership, engage customers and build new products and services. From tokenised assets, stablecoins and digital payments to virtual environments, digital identity and blockchain-enabled platforms, organisations are increasingly exploring how these technologies can support growth, enhance efficiency and unlock new commercial opportunities.

As innovation accelerates, businesses face a rapidly evolving landscape of legal, regulatory, operational and reputational considerations. Success requires advisors who understand not only the law, but also the technology, commercial drivers and market dynamics underpinning digital transformation.

Mishcon’s Blockchain, Crypto and Digital Assets Group combines legal, cyber security and industry expertise across the digital asset sector. We support founders, exchanges, fintechs, investors, financial institutions, family offices, sovereign-backed ventures and technology businesses investing in and protecting blockchain, crypto and digital asset technologies across the UK, UAE and other key markets.

Our work spans digital asset launches, tokenisation projects, stablecoins, payments, custody, regulatory licensing, commercial contracts, disputes, fraud, cyber incidents and international expansion. In the UAE, we have experience engaging with VARA, ADGM’s FSRA, the DFSA, SCA and the UAE Central Bank, including on virtual asset licensing, tokenisation, stablecoins, digital payments, custody and cross-border growth.

We combine legal, regulatory, cyber security and sector expertise to help clients navigate fast-moving digital asset markets with confidence.

Art

The art market has always relied upon the concept of ownership, provenance and authenticity. Blockchain technology and digital assets have introduced new ways of recording, transferring and monetising those rights.
Our art law specialists advise dealers, galleries, auction houses, artists, collectors and museums on the full spectrum of legal issues affecting the art market. We also support clients exploring the use of blockchain technology to enhance transparency, provenance tracking and digital asset ownership structures.
We also advise on sales, purchases, loans and consignments of art works, as well as the exploitation and protection of intellectual property rights relevant to art such as copyright, trademark and artists’ resale rights.

Crypto disputes, fraud and investigations

Our disputes, fraud, cyber and investigations teams work alongside our blockchain specialists to advise on complex matters involving cryptocurrency fraud, digital asset recovery, exchange and custody disputes, regulatory investigations, shareholder disputes, insolvency matters.
Through our vast experience of obtaining injunctive relief including Search Orders, Freezing Orders and Disclosure Orders we have been able to identify individuals and/or groups carrying out complex multi-jurisdictional frauds and successfully commenced proceedings against them to recover stolen assets.
We regularly support clients dealing with the theft, misuse or loss of digital assets and provide strategic advice on protecting and recovering value in complex, cross-border situations.
Our experience spans key digital asset markets across the world including our involvement in the first cryptocurrency dispute determined by the DIFC Courts, which established important judicial guidance on crypto custody arrangements, intermediary liability and the allocation of risk in digital asset transactions.

Data / digital assets

Where businesses are implementing innovative technologies, we help ensure that legal and regulatory considerations keep pace with commercial objectives.
We advise on the data protection, governance and regulatory implications of blockchain technologies, including distributed ledger solutions, digital assets and decentralised platforms across regulated sectors.
Our work spans technology and commercial arrangements involving cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset infrastructure providers and financial institutions, alongside advice on smart contracts, emerging technologies and the data compliance challenges associated with blockchain-based solutions.

Interactive entertainment

Interactive entertainment continues to be one of the most innovative sectors within the digital assets economy.
We advise innovative businesses at the forefront of the digital assets market on the use of NFTs, fan tokens, cryptoassets and digital payment mechanisms.
Our work includes advising on the regulatory boundaries between gambling and unregulated activity, the use of digital assets in customer engagement, interactions with regulators where new products raise novel legal or compliance questions and advise businesses looking to utilise cryptocurrency as a payment mechanism.

Life sciences

Blockchain technology can support secure data sharing, identity management and more transparent supply chains across the life sciences and healthcare sectors.
We advise on the data protection and governance considerations arising from blockchain-based healthcare solutions, including the handling of health-related data and the design of systems intended to give individuals greater control over their information.
We also advise on the application of blockchain technology to auditable supply chains, helping clients address the legal, technical and data considerations that arise when tracking products and information through different stages of their lifecycle.

NFTs, virtual worlds and digital commerce

While market attention has moved beyond the early hype surrounding NFTs and the metaverse, the underlying technologies continue to create opportunities for brands, technology businesses and investors.
Many organisations are exploring new forms of digital ownership, immersive customer engagement, token-gated experiences, digital loyalty programmes and virtual environments that blend physical and digital interactions. These initiatives frequently combine blockchain technology, digital assets, AI, gaming infrastructure, augmented reality and virtual reality.
We advise clients developing innovative customer experiences, launching digital products and building new forms of digital commerce. Our experience includes supporting businesses that use NFTs, fan tokens and other digital assets to strengthen customer engagement, create new revenue streams and develop communities around their brands.

Retail supply chains

Blockchain technology can help businesses improve the traceability of products, verify information across supply chains and coordinate data between suppliers and commercial partners.
We advise on the legal, commercial and data considerations involved in implementing blockchain-enabled supply-chain solutions. This includes assessing how the technology will interact with existing business processes, allocating responsibility between participants and addressing the contractual and governance arrangements required to support implementation.