November 17, 2015
This webcast covers the basics of blockchain technology, including the evolution of its uses from digital currencies, such as bitcoin, to other areas. It will delve into the uses of blockchain technology in the financial sector, including potential impacts in the areas of settlement, confirmation and clearing, private and public trading, cross-currency payment networks, smart contracts and “device democracy,” and early adaptation in emerging markets. The panelists discuss current and future legal, legislative and regulatory issues at the federal, state and international levels. Finally, the presentation concludes with thoughts and advice on what to expect and how financial institutions and companies can prepare for adopting and implementing blockchain technology and the related regulatory, legislative and legal issues.
View Slides [PDF]
MODERATOR:
Judith A. Lee — Ms. Lee is a Partner in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office and Co-Chair of the firm’s International Trade Practice Group. She practices in the areas of international trade regulation, including USA Patriot Act compliance, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, economic sanctions and embargoes, and export controls. Ms. Lee also advises on issues relating to virtual and digital currencies, blockchain technologies and distributed cryptoledgers.
PANELISTS:
Arthur S. Long— Mr. Long is a partner in the New York office of Gibson Dunn where he is a Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Financial Institutions Practice Group and a member of the Securities Regulation Practice Group. Mr. Long focuses his practice on financial institutions regulation, advising on the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions; bank regulatory compliance issues; Dodd-Frank issues, including the regulation of systemically significant financial institutions (SIFIs) and related heightened capital and liquidity requirements; resolution planning; and Volcker Rule issues with respect to bank proprietary trading and private equity and hedge fund operations. In addition, Mr. Long has significant experience with bank securities offerings and issues particular to foreign banks operating or seeking to operate in the United States, and with emerging legal issues in the area of virtual currencies.
Jeffrey L. Steiner — Jeffrey L. Steiner is counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. He is a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions, Energy, Regulation and Litigation, Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance, Investment Funds and Public Policy practice groups. Mr. Steiner advises a range of clients, including commercial end-users, financial institutions, dealers, hedge funds, private equity funds, clearinghouses, industry groups and trade associations on regulatory, legislative and transactional matters related to OTC and listed derivatives, commodities and securities. He frequently assists clients with compliance and implementation issues relating to the Dodd-Frank Act, the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the National Futures Association and the prudential banking regulators. He also helps clients to navigate through cross-border issues resulting from global derivatives requirements, including those resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act, the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) and the rules of other jurisdictions. Mr. Steiner also advises clients on issues relating to the adoption, use and implementation of digital currencies and blockchain technology.