Latham & Watkins LLP - Global Leader in Digital Assets & Web3 Legal Innovation

Company Overview

Founded in January 1934 in Los Angeles by Dana Latham and Paul Watkins, Latham & Watkins LLP is a premier global law firm with over 3,600 attorneys operating across offices in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. As the #2 ranked firm in Am Law 200 and Global 200 with $7 billion in revenue, Latham & Watkins combines elite legal capability with cutting-edge innovation in digital assets and Web3. The firm's New York office, with 750+ lawyers, is Latham's largest globally, while the Los Angeles headquarters at 355 South Grand Avenue anchors the firm's West Coast presence. Since blockchain's inception, Latham has worked at the leading edge of blockchain-enabled innovation, often setting legal and regulatory precedents that govern new assets and industries. Led by Global Co-Chairs Stephen Wink and Yvette Valdez, Latham's Digital Assets & Web3 Practice serves clients across the entire ecosystem including venture capital funds, protocol developers, exchanges, NFT marketplaces, DAOs, cryptocurrency miners, and financial institutions. Recognized as Band 1 in FinTech on both sides of the Atlantic by Chambers, Latham combines sophisticated understanding of blockchain technology with commercial sensibility and ahead-of-the-curve regulatory insight, having represented OpenSea in $300 million Series C financing, Aptos Labs in $150 million Series A, Coinbase, Andreessen Horowitz, and other premier digital asset ecosystem participants.

Core Services

Digital Assets & Web3 Legal Services

Latham's Digital Assets & Web3 team advises clients across the entire ecosystem including venture capital and investment funds, tech companies and protocol developers, exchanges and marketplaces, entertainment/sports/media organizations, DAOs, cryptocurrency miners, and institutional infrastructure providers. Services encompass bringing new digital assets to market, cryptocurrency offerings, NFTs, crypto derivatives and structured products, market infrastructure solutions, and blockchain-based protocols and organizations. The practice provides regulatory engagement worldwide with SEC, CFTC, FCA, BaFin, HKMA, MAS, and other regulators, combining technical blockchain expertise with commercial focus and regulatory foresight.

DeFi Protocol Legal Advisory

Comprehensive legal services for decentralized finance protocols addressing fast-paced legal and regulatory developments. Latham developed the Decentralization Matrix in partnership with a16z Crypto—an open-source resource defining three types of decentralization with factors for tokenized blockchain protocols (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, Solana) and smart contract protocols (Uniswap, Aave, Compound, Curve). This pioneering framework articulates categories and factors of decentralization with indicators of various decentralization thresholds, providing practical guidance for DeFi protocol development and regulatory compliance.

NFT Legal Services & Marketplace Transactions

Specialized legal representation for NFT marketplaces, creators, and projects addressing securities law analysis, intellectual property issues, platform terms of service, creator rights, and marketplace regulation. Notable representation includes advising OpenSea—world's largest NFT marketplace—in $300 million Series C financing and acquisition of Dharma Labs. Services address whether NFTs constitute securities, regulatory compliance for NFT platforms, and structuring compliant NFT offerings across art, gaming, sports, and entertainment sectors.

Cryptocurrency Venture Capital & M&A

Sophisticated transactional support for venture capital investments in blockchain companies and cryptocurrency M&A. Latham has represented premier crypto VCs including Andreessen Horowitz in major blockchain investments, and advised on landmark deals including Aptos Labs' $150 million Series A led by FTX Ventures and Jump Crypto. Services encompass SAFT agreements, token warrant structures, equity plus token hybrid investments, and complex corporate structures for digital asset businesses navigating uncertain regulatory landscapes.

Blockchain Regulatory Compliance & Enforcement

Comprehensive regulatory advice for cryptocurrency businesses navigating SEC, CFTC, and international regulatory frameworks. Services include securities law analysis for token offerings, exchange registration requirements, custody regulations, AML/CTF compliance, and enforcement defense. Latham added former SEC senior counsel as partner (November 2024) to strengthen West Coast crypto regulatory capability, demonstrating ongoing investment in cryptocurrency regulatory expertise.

Unique Selling Points

Band 1 FinTech Rankings - Both Sides of Atlantic

Recognized by Chambers as Band 1 (top tier) in FinTech on both sides of the Atlantic, validating Latham's preeminent standing as global leader in digital asset and fintech legal services. This dual Band 1 recognition demonstrates sophisticated expertise across both US and European cryptocurrency regulatory regimes and unmatched capability serving international digital asset businesses.

Decentralization Matrix - Industry-Defining Framework

Developed Decentralization Matrix in partnership with a16z Crypto, creating first comprehensive open-source framework defining decentralization factors for blockchain and smart contract protocols. This pioneering resource—available at lw.com/en/decentralization—demonstrates thought leadership setting industry standards and provides practical tool for protocol developers, investors, and regulators understanding decentralization. Framework's open-source spirit exemplifies Latham's commitment to advancing Web3 ecosystem beyond pure client representation.

Premier Crypto Clients - OpenSea, Coinbase, a16z

Represents premier digital asset ecosystem participants including OpenSea (world's largest NFT marketplace—$300M Series C, Dharma Labs acquisition), Coinbase (leading US cryptocurrency exchange), Andreessen Horowitz (premier crypto VC—Aptos Labs $150M Series A), and other marquee clients. This blue-chip client portfolio demonstrates trust from most sophisticated cryptocurrency businesses and investors requiring highest-caliber legal representation.

Leading Edge Innovation - Setting Legal Precedents

Latham works at the leading edge of blockchain-enabled innovation, often setting legal and regulatory precedents that govern new assets and industries. This pioneer positioning means Latham clients benefit from firm's experience navigating novel issues before they become mainstream, establishing favorable frameworks and regulatory approaches rather than merely following established patterns.

Global Platform - 3,600+ Attorneys

With 3,600+ attorneys across offices in Asia, Europe, Middle East, and United States, Latham provides integrated global legal services for international cryptocurrency operations spanning multiple regulatory regimes. As #2 ranked firm in Am Law 200 and Global 200 with $7 billion revenue, Latham delivers elite legal capability with resources and relationships impossible for boutique crypto firms to replicate.

The Book of Jargon - Blockchain, Crypto & Web3

Published comprehensive second edition of "The Book of Jargon® — Blockchain, Crypto & Web3" with nearly 600 terms (double first edition), demonstrating deep technical expertise and commitment to educating ecosystem participants. This resource serves as industry-standard reference guide, validating Latham's sophisticated understanding of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency markets.

Ahead-of-the-Curve Regulatory Insight

Latham combines technical blockchain understanding with ahead-of-the-curve insight into regulatory direction of travel, enabling proactive compliance strategies and favorable regulatory positioning. Recent addition of former SEC senior counsel as partner (November 2024) strengthens regulatory foresight and relationships with key regulators worldwide.

Notable Expertise Areas

Digital assets, Web3, NFTs, DeFi protocols, cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain venture capital, token offerings, DAO structures, crypto derivatives, decentralization frameworks, cryptocurrency M&A, digital asset custody, stablecoin regulation, blockchain payments, crypto securities law, CFTC compliance, international crypto regulation, NFT marketplaces, smart contract protocols, crypto enforcement defense

Why Choose Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins combines Band 1 FinTech rankings on both sides of the Atlantic with pioneering Decentralization Matrix framework and premier client portfolio including OpenSea, Coinbase, and Andreessen Horowitz, making them global leader in digital assets and Web3 legal innovation. With 3,600+ attorneys across international offices, $7 billion revenue as #2 Am Law 200 firm, and position at leading edge of blockchain innovation setting legal and regulatory precedents, Latham delivers elite legal capability with sophisticated technical understanding impossible to replicate. From NFT marketplace transactions and DeFi protocol advisory through to cryptocurrency venture capital and regulatory compliance, Latham's combination of establishment credibility, cutting-edge expertise, and ahead-of-the-curve regulatory insight ensures digital asset businesses receive premier legal representation from global law firm dedicated to advancing Web3 ecosystem while protecting client interests in rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.