Holley Nethercote (HN Law)

Holley Nethercote - Leading Australian Crypto Firm

Company Overview

Founded in 1995, Holley Nethercote (operating as HN Law) is a leading Australian financial services regulatory law firm with 35 staff and offices in Melbourne, Sydney, and Port Macquarie. Positioning itself as one of Australia's leading law firms in blockchain and crypto technologies as they impact the financial services and credit sectors, Holley Nethercote acts for some of the world's largest digital currency exchanges and crypto lending and borrowing groups. The firm has played pivotal role in shaping Australia's cryptocurrency regulatory framework, being heavily involved in consulting with AUSTRAC during creation of Australia's Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) regime and serving as primary authors of Blockchain Australia's Code of Conduct for Digital Currency Businesses. Led by Managing Partner Paul Derham, Holley Nethercote chairs Blockchain Australia's AML & Financial Crime Committee and actively contributes to regulatory reforms both nationally and internationally, writing crypto asset legislation for countries, drafting model law, and advising International Standards Setting Bodies.

Core Services

Crypto Assets & Blockchain Legal Advisory

Comprehensive legal services for cryptocurrency and blockchain businesses including regulatory compliance, financial services licensing, AUSTRAC registration and AML/CTF compliance, crypto exchange structuring, token offerings, DeFi protocol advisory, NFT legal frameworks, and digital asset custody compliance. Services combine sophisticated regulatory expertise with practical understanding of crypto business operations, informed by direct involvement in creating Australia's crypto regulatory frameworks.

Financial Services Law for Crypto Businesses

Specialized financial services legal and regulatory advisory for crypto businesses including AFSL requirements analysis, managed investment scheme compliance, derivatives licensing, custody licensing, and consumer protection obligations. Expertise addresses unique challenges of applying traditional financial services regulations to innovative crypto business models and products.

Policy & Regulatory Reform

Unique policy division (HN Policy) contributing to cryptocurrency regulatory reforms in Australia and internationally including writing crypto asset legislation for countries, drafting model laws, advising International Standards Setting Bodies, and making submissions to Australian Treasury, Senate inquiries, and parliamentary consultations on digital asset regulation. This policy capability provides clients access to regulatory reform insights and influence over emerging frameworks.

AML/CTF Compliance for Digital Currency Businesses

Comprehensive AML/CTF legal services for digital currency exchanges and crypto businesses including AUSTRAC registration, compliance program development, transaction monitoring frameworks, suspicious matter reporting protocols, and ongoing regulatory compliance. Expertise informed by firm's direct involvement consulting with AUSTRAC on creation of Australia's DCE regime and authoring Blockchain Australia's Code of Conduct.

Cryptocurrency Exchange Licensing & Structuring

End-to-end legal support for cryptocurrency exchanges including regulatory licensing strategy, AUSTRAC DCE registration, AFSL considerations, exchange platform legal structuring, custody arrangements, user terms of service, listing agreements, and commercial contracts. Services leverage firm's deep experience acting for some of the world's largest digital currency exchanges.

Unique Selling Points

Instrumental in Creating Australia's Crypto Regulatory Framework

Holley Nethercote was heavily involved in consulting with AUSTRAC during creation of Australia's current Digital Currency Exchange regime and served as primary authors of Blockchain Australia's Code of Conduct for Digital Currency Businesses. This direct involvement in creating regulatory frameworks provides unmatched regulatory insight and relationships with Australian financial services regulators.

Chairs Blockchain Australia's AML & Financial Crime Committee

Serving as chair of Blockchain Australia's AML & Financial Crime Committee demonstrates industry leadership and influence over policy development affecting crypto businesses. This position provides clients access to cutting-edge regulatory intelligence and industry best practices.

Advises World's Largest Digital Currency Exchanges

Acting for some of the world's largest digital currency exchanges validates Holley Nethercote's capability to handle the most sophisticated, high-stakes cryptocurrency regulatory matters. This elite client portfolio provides practical experience with complex compliance scenarios and major international crypto operations.

International Crypto Policy Influence

HN Policy division's work writing crypto asset legislation for countries, drafting model law, and advising International Standards Setting Bodies demonstrates international influence extending beyond Australian regulatory frameworks. This global policy capability provides valuable insight into international crypto regulatory developments and best practices.

Active Participation in Regulatory Reform

Regular submissions to Treasury, appearances at Senate inquiries on digital asset regulation, and meetings with parliamentarians demonstrate active participation shaping Australia's crypto regulatory evolution. This regulatory engagement provides clients early insight into emerging regulatory positions and ability to influence policy development.

Financial Services Regulatory Specialization

As leading financial services regulatory law firm with crypto specialization, Holley Nethercote combines sophisticated financial services legal expertise with deep cryptocurrency regulatory knowledge—essential for crypto businesses navigating intersection of traditional financial regulation and innovative digital asset business models.

Member of Blockchain Australia

Active membership in Blockchain Australia demonstrating commitment to industry development and providing access to industry networks, regulatory intelligence, and collaborative policy development opportunities.

Notable Client Types

World's largest digital currency exchanges, crypto lending and borrowing platforms, global crypto asset groups, local crypto startups, digital currency businesses, blockchain technology companies, DeFi protocols, crypto custody providers, tokenization platforms, crypto payment processors

Why Choose Holley Nethercote

Holley Nethercote uniquely combines direct involvement in creating Australia's cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks with representation of the world's largest digital currency exchanges, making them unparalleled regulatory advisors for serious crypto businesses operating in Australia. With firm's leadership chairing Blockchain Australia's AML & Financial Crime Committee, HN Policy division's international influence writing crypto legislation and model law, and regular participation in Australian regulatory reform consultations, Holley Nethercote provides clients access to regulatory intelligence and policy influence unavailable through traditional law firms. From cryptocurrency exchange licensing and AML/CTF compliance through to DeFi protocol structuring and international crypto regulatory advisory, Holley Nethercote's proven track record shaping regulatory frameworks and advising elite global crypto businesses ensures clients receive world-class legal expertise combined with unique regulatory insight and influence.