Regulatory Interest
IEOs are Here! Applications Welcome.
Will this much-touted alternative capital market deliver the goods as hoped? […]
To Be or not to Be – in Malta?
Binance, the poster boy of crypto nomadism returns to form and does what it does best. […]
How Dare You Seize My Bitcoins!?!
Consider yourself warned: the state has wide powers of confiscation and they’ll use it! […]
Luno v Robert Ong Case Explained (Part 1)
Renowned litigator Faisal Moideen shares insights on his court victories for Luno. […]
Luno v Robert Ong Case Explained (Part 2)
How the decision impacts the entire industry and new developing areas of the law. […]
Luno v Robert Ong Case Explained (Part 3)
Do you know your Terms of Use and what to do when you have a dispute in your hands? […]
How Will Liquidators Deal With Tokens?
What happens to your tokenized shares when the blockchain startup goes under? […]
Crypto’s Battle for Bank Accounts (Part 1)
If you’re ever tempted to sue your bank, look out for duty and reasonableness. […]
Crypto’s Battle for Bank Accounts (Part 2)
The constitutional path is still a hung jury – lessons from those who have failed. […]
Crypto’s Battle for Bank Accounts (Part 3)
The wilful ignorance of regulators can be bliss. Can they also use it as defence? […]
Exchange Licenses are Here. What’s Next?
Our keynote at Malaysian Blockchain Week on Jun 20, 2019 pulled no punches. […]
Regulatory Issues in Digital Asset Exchanges
The partner of GLT Law gives a local rundown to Visio Bloc (May 2019 issue). […]
Essential Clauses in Token Sale Agreements
Our guest article for the University of Malaya RegTech Project in May 2019. […]
Calling a Spade a Spade Takes a ‘Bit’ of Effort
Who knew that the naming convention for digital tokens can be so complicated? […]
Restitutio in Integrum Bitcoin?
Analogy: Underwear bought from a store cannot be returned as it may be soiled. […]
Silver Lining in The New Malaysian Ruling
Finally, we found one reason for the local blockchain industry to be happy about! […]
Any Legal Obligations Post-ICO?
The public needs to be convinced that you weren’t just putting lipstick on the pig. […]
Legal Considerations for Crypto Banking
My guest lecture at the eminent University of Malaya Law Faculty on 15 Nov 2018. […]
Are Whitepapers Legally Binding?
Disclaimers can come in handy but they are not a free pass to do whatever you want. […]
Law of the Land: A Primer for ICOs
This was first delivered as a seminar at the Securities Commission on Sep 25, 2018. […]
A Sonata for Crypto Winter (Part 1)
The bulls are hijacking a long dreary winter and calling for spring. Will they succeed? […]
A Sonata for Crypto Winter (Part 2)
Laws are constructing a new normal for crypto. The future looks bright (and boring). […]
Why the Race for Crypto Licenses?
Bragging rights mostly. “We are a regulated crypto exchange” does sound better! […]
Psst! Your ICO is Probably a CIS
Hard truths from the landmark Malaysian Blockchain Regulatory Report 2018. […]
Tech Perspectives
DeFi to DeFinitely Lose Your Money
Be wary of getting into smart contracts as you are responsible for your own safety. […]
Enter the New Tech Weapon of Choice (Pt 2)
Can blockchain stay economically and politically neutral in a world that’s not? […]
Enter the New Tech Weapon of Choice (Pt 1)
Blockchain is being co-opted by governments as an unlikely source of hard power. […]
Testing Smart Contracts Part 1 (Tools)
The first of a multi-part series on developing and testing smart contracts for Ethereum. […]
Testing Smart Contracts Part 2 (Local Test)
A step-by-step guide on writing and running smart contract test on the local blockchain. […]
Testing Smart Contracts Part 3 (Testnet)
Navigating through the intricacies of testing smart contract on the Ethereum testnet. […]
Blockchain-Based Loyalty Management
Could blockchain technology really invigorate the trillion dollar loyalty points industry? […]
The New Dawn Breaking Could be Dusk
Presentation at the HELP University Data Analytics & Revolutionizing Tech Forum on May 16, 2019. […]
Are Online Solidity Scanners Reliable?
I tested an open source Solidity scanner for smart contract vulnerabilities. This is my verdict. […]
Smart Watches Just Got Smarter
In case you missed this: A heady showcase of blockchain at the China Hi-Tech Fair. […]
When the Hunter becomes the Hunted
I was introduced to a strange looking “honeypot” contract on Etherscan recently. […]
Oyster Pearl “Hack”: Tiny Hole for a Big Rat
What happened, what we can learn from it, and why this was really so dumb? […]
Understanding the Tradeoff Trilemma
If you ever wondered why blockchains are slow or scaling is hard, you are not alone. […]
How to Transfer Tokens Without Gas
We have successfully implemented etherless token transfers for dApp UX improvements. […]
Wondering When is a Blockchain Needed?
Our lead developer tells it straight – you probably don’t need a blockchain for your business. […]
Setting Up Your Multisignature Wallet
A step-by-step guide with screenshots on deploying your own Gnosis Multsig Wallet. […]
Smart Contract Exploits Part 1 (Lotteries)
The first of a multi-part series on smart contract exploits featuring Capture the Ether. […]
Smart Contract Exploits Part 2 (Math)
Our lead developer dishes out more hacks and solutions in this exclusive series. […]
Smart Contract Exploits Part 3 (Accounts)
More exciting twists in store as we explore fuzzy identity and account takeover. […]
Smart Contract Exploits Part 4 (Miscellaneous)
The final instalment (and first time ever) that the complete set of solutions is published. […]
Smart Contracts 101 for Lawyers
A noob-friendly guide first presented to legal eagles in the LexTech Conference on Nov 5, 2017. […]
Bitcoin 101 for the Layman
This was first presented in a Maybank Investment Bank seminar on Oct 10, 2017. […]
Hard Forks, Soft Forks, and Choices
Admittedly to some, a hard fork may not necessarily be more forceful than a soft fork. […]
Introduction to Zero-Knowledge Proof
How do you prove that you know secret information without having to expose it? […]
Compliance First
Digital Asset Custody #1: Full Control
Examining the litmus test of “full control” in the Digital Asset Custody guidelines. […]
Digital Asset Custody #2: Segregation
The segregation of digital assets is often touted by many but seldom done in practice. […]
Digital Asset Custody #3: Incumbents
Sooner or later the custody market will be cornered by banking sector incumbents. […]
Digital Asset Custody #4: Technology
If you are not tech ready or intend to outsource everything, please read this first. […]
Regulating Stablecoins in Malaysia: Part 1
What is it that puzzles lawmakers when they try to regulate this stablecoin thing? […]
Regulating Stablecoins in Malaysia: Part 2
How will stablecoins fare under the newly passed Currency Act 2020 in Malaysia? […]
Regulating Stablecoins in Malaysia: Part 3
The global regulatory effort on stablecoins is a lot more organised than we think. […]
Regulating Stablecoins in Malaysia: Part 4
Where do potential issuers of so-called stablecoins go from here and what next? […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 8: Why Does FATF Matter?
The all-pervading global Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will bare its teeth soon. […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 7: Is CEZA a Safe Harbor?
How the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (Philippines) stole the region’s thunder. […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 6: Considering Malta VFA?
How to register your exchange under the Malta Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Act. […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 5: Malaysia RMO Ruling
Guide for Digital Asset Exchanges to be Recognized Market Operators (RMO) Pt. II […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 4: Malaysia RMO Ruling
Guide for Digital Asset Exchanges to be Recognized Market Operators (RMO) Pt. I […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 3: ASIFMA Best Practices
Taking cues from the Hong Kong-based Asia Securities Industry Association (ASIFMA). […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 2: Lessons from NY OAG
Customer protection measures recommended by the Office of Attorney General (OAG). […]
‘Spring Cleaning’ Part 1: The Japan FSA Model
A brief overview of the global precedent set by the Financial Services Agency (FSA). […]
Regulatory Positions in Southeast Asia Q1 2018
This article first appeared in Crypto News Asia on Mar 18, 2018; and is updated quarterly. […]
Regulatory Positions in Southeast Asia Q2 2018
In barely one quarter, the region has come trail blazing with progressive laws. […]
Regulatory Positions in Southeast Asia Q3 2018
How do you tame the crypto Wild West and rein in the industry? Look Southeast. […]
Regulatory Positions in Southeast Asia Q4 2018
As clichéd as it sounds, the new year will ring in law and order. And loopholes too! […]
Miscellaneous
When and Why CBDCs Become Common
Governments dislike bitcoin because it deprives them of control and surveillance, hence… […]
DeFi: The Doom for Traditional Finance?
2020 will be known as the year of the DeFi boom but what’s next in its horizon? […]
Can Blockchain Save Elections? Count on It!
Election winners or losers can let blockchain seal their fate forever without dispute. […]
Legal Aspects of Getting Paid in Crypto
We work in order to get paid. What are some legal issues with getting paid in crypto? […]
BitMEX Class Action: TLDR Version (Part 2)
It’s an open secret: Incorporate offshore so that regulators can’t touch you. […]
BitMEX Class Action: TLDR Version (Part 1)
Somewhere out there, Nouriel Roubini could be having an “I-told-you-so” moment. […]
Can Crypto Help Your Business Survive?
E-commerce is the perfect no-contact business in the Covid era. Crypto accepted? […]
Is Crypto Insurance Needed? (Part 2)
Brief rundown of how the industry is starting to grow up and hedge itself with insurance. […]
Is Crypto Insurance Needed? (Part 1)
The loss from the hack is just tip of the iceberg as there are many other cost exposures. […]
Get Ready for a Roller Coaster Year
Toast to the new Roaring 20s: I wish you good fortune in the wars to come! […]
Can Crypto Payment be Mainstream? (Part 2)
Payment practices have taken ages to be perfected, whilst crypto tech has yet to mature. […]
Can Crypto Payment be Mainstream? (Part 1)
Purely speaking from the merchant’s perspective, it feels like a long shot at its current state. […]
My Experience Training at the SIDC
So here I was at the Securities Commission, talking about Eskimos and Bitcoin! […]
How Quickly We Forget (Thanks Zuck!)
Crypto might be back, but let us not forget our stained past even in times of celebration. […]
What Entrepreneurs Must Know About Libra
The inconvenient truth if this becomes a game changer for human history. […]
On Being Your Own Bank
“So our founder is dead, we don’t know the key, or our hardware wallet died on us.” […]
A Case For Blockchain Mutability
Is immutability overrated (or, things that are actually mutable on a blockchain)? […]
Now is the Time to be Forward Looking
Blockchain can realize common national and community outcomes, if only we adopt it. […]
Blockchain is Neither Good Nor Evil
Key messages to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on Oct 24, 2018. […]
My Open Letter to the Crypto World
Blockchain is like teenage sex. Everyone talks about it. Nobody really knows how to do it. […]
First Official NEO Meetup in Malaysia
NEO sets its sail in this region with a fireside chat on use cases for a better future. […]
Here Comes the Dinosaur Prophecy
What comes after the Cambrian explosion in crypto? A Permian extinction, naturally. […]
The Tables Have Turned, It’s a Buyer’s Market
Find out how your ICO can hunt down media bargains in the current crypto winter.. […]
Membership Has Its (Token) Privileges
As the network effect grows, it tends to grow into a natural monopoly. Not anymore! […]
Infographics
IEO Series #4: How it Compares to IPO?
The IEO route might even raise as much as a traditional IPO but is it for everyone? […]
IEO Series #3: How SEA Approaches STO?
STOs and in specie token offerings are no longer an unregulated space in this region. […]
IEO Series #2: How it Differs from ICO?
ICOs could be a thing of the past if investor-friendly intermediaries like IEOs take off. […]
IEO Series #1: How it Works in Malaysia?
What does the world’s first legalized Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) regime look like? […]
Archived
Confessions of a Whitepaper Writer
Caution: “This is a test. I hope that you will learn where so many others have failed!” […]
Game Over for Banks? Au Contraire
A new EU Parliament study shows how banks can stop crypto from eating their lunch. […]
The Real Diff Between Shares and Tokens
If tokens are securities, what exactly do they securitize? A veteran IPO lawyer digs in. […]
What Happens in an ICO Token Swap?
Let’s say “my dog ate my homework” and the swap doesn’t happen. What then? […]
What Will the Future of Banking Look Like?
Key takeaways from the Digital Asset Investment Summit in Beijing on Jun 12, 2018. […]
Do ICOs Cause Crypto-Inflation?
What happens when the supply of coins infinitely increases, if no real value is created? […]