Holley Nethercote

Holley Nethercote is a leading Australian commercial law firm and compliance business with deep expertise in financial services regulation, digital assets, and commercial law. Founded in 1995, the firm has evolved from serving traditional financial services clients to becoming one of Australia's premier legal advisors in blockchain and cryptocurrency regulation.

Core Services

The Holley Nethercote Group consists of multiple specialized divisions:

Legal Services - Holley Nethercote Lawyers provides preventative-law focused legal services across financial services law, credit services law, AML/CTF (financial crime), regulatory action defense, and commercial law. The firm's lawyers come from diverse backgrounds including top-tier law firms, government regulators (ASIC), external dispute resolution schemes, and global financial institutions.

Licensing Services - HN Licensing assists clients in obtaining Australian Financial Services Licences (AFSL), Australian Credit Licences (ACL), and APRA applications for Authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADI). The firm provides end-to-end support from application preparation through ongoing compliance.

Training & Education - HN Training delivers highly interactive, technology-enabled compliance and regulatory training for Responsible Managers, compliance staff, and directors. The firm has trained Australian government regulators, all major Australian banks, and participants across most financial services sectors using gamified tools, live role-plays, and practical workshops.

Compliance Support - Through HN Hub (online portal), HN Documents (compliance templates), and HN Policy (law reform consulting), the firm provides non-legal compliance services including templates, ongoing training, regulatory updates, and policy development support.

Crypto Assets & Blockchain Expertise

Holley Nethercote is recognized as one of Australia's leading law firms in blockchain and crypto technologies as they impact financial services and credit sectors. The firm:

• Acts for some of the world's largest digital currency exchanges and crypto lending/borrowing platforms
• Was heavily involved in consulting with AUSTRAC during creation of Australia's Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) regime
• Authored Blockchain Australia's Code of Conduct for Digital Currency Businesses
• Chairs Blockchain Australia's AML & Financial Crime Committee
• Made submissions to parliamentary committees on digital asset regulation and appeared at public hearings
• Developed legislation for another country's Free Economic Zone regulating stablecoins and secondary market trading
• Assists with DCE registration, AML/CTF program implementation, AFSL applications for crypto businesses, and due diligence for acquiring banks and payment providers

Key Strengths

The firm combines technical legal expertise with practical, business-focused advice. With over 30 staff across Melbourne and Sydney offices, Holley Nethercote is large enough to handle complex matters while maintaining a service-oriented, collaborative culture. The team's diverse backgrounds from regulators, financial institutions, and specialized law firms provide comprehensive insights into both regulatory expectations and commercial realities.

Notable Clients & Recognition

Clients include CPA Australia, Bankwest, BDO, Pitcher Partners, major accounting firms, financial advisers, crypto exchanges, fintechs, payments businesses, and professional associations. The firm regularly advises global financial institutions, emerging fintechs, and established Australian financial services businesses on regulatory compliance, licensing, and strategic matters.

Why Choose Holley Nethercote

The firm stands out for its deep regulatory expertise combined with practical, preventative-law approach. Rather than traditional "death-by-PowerPoint" compliance advice, Holley Nethercote delivers engaging, memorable training and actionable legal guidance that keeps clients out of court and regulatory trouble. For crypto and digital asset businesses, the firm offers unmatched Australian regulatory experience from policy development through practical implementation, with direct connections to regulators and industry bodies.