Bryan is an experienced lawyer in financial services regulation, corporate & securities law, capital markets (private and public), investment funds and commercial law. Bryan’s broad expertise across financial services regulation and corporate & commercial law makes him a suitable advisor to acquisitive financial services businesses. He has experience with financial services M&A, advising on legal and regulatory due diligence, transaction documents, engaging with regulators (including obtaining regulatory clearance) and post-completion compliance and deliverables.
Bryan is a modern digital lawyer, advising on emerging technologies and their intersection with financial services regulation, AML, corporate, securities, intellectual property and commercial laws. He has several years of in-depth expertise in FinTech, blockchain and cryptocurrency, including wallets, broking, investment or digital platforms, payments, Web3 technologies, NFTs, decentralized finance (DeFi), tokens, stablecoins and VASP regulation. Bryan has advised on the launch of a metaverse.
He works with leading blockchain and digital asset companies, including VeVe Digital Collectibles, Futureverse, global cryptocurrency exchanges, a tokenised securities exchange, an NFT platform (and others) – advising on cutting-edge products and services. Bryan’s other clients include tech startups, SMEs, and large corporates, based in NZ or overseas – including an NZX listed company and all types of financial service businesses.
Bryan’s comprehensive knowledge spans financial services regulation, including licensing or registration under the FMCA (Financial Markets Conduct Act), Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations, Financial Service Providers Register (FSPR), Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010. He also advises on the Companies Act, the Limited Partnerships Act 2008, NZX Listing Rules, the Fair Trading Act, and other laws related to our financial system. He engages with New Zealand regulators on behalf of clients.
He has expertise in establishing various types of investment funds investment products and services, targeted at wholesale investors (i.e. institutional investors) or retail investors. He has experience with all asset classes spanning private equity, property, credit, etc.
Bryan holds various leadership roles that have helped to support the growth and institutionalisation of NZ’s blockchain industry including being an ex-Chair of BlockchainNZ (April 2021 – June 2023), a Council Member of the International Digital Asset Exchange Association (IDAXA) and an active member of the Payments NZ Forum. Bryan is currently on the BlockchainNZ Council. Bryan is involved in New Zealand’s startup and venture capital industries, including the Angel Association of New Zealand and NZ Private Capital.
Prior to joining Hamilton Locke New Zealand, Bryan worked for MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Lowndes Jordan, Anderson Creagh Lai and DLA Piper. Bryan was previously an in-house lawyer at NZX and was company secretary of the NZX Clearing House. He has an excellent understanding of NZX Listing Rules and the capital markets.
