Contributors

Steven Pettigrove, Partner Piper Alderman

Steven advises on financial services and fintech, with a particular focus on digital assets regulation and disputes. His clients include financial institutions, payments businesses, custodians, funds, exchanges, start-ups, software developers, gaming and social media companies. His practice focuses on product development, licensing, disclosure, commercial contracting, Australian market entry, regulation and disputes. He has over 14 years’ experience as a litigation and regulatory specialist. In addition, his experience as a start-up founder gives him unique perspective in advising early stage and high growth companies.

Steven has expertise in corporate law, commercial contracts, financial services and cryptocurrency regulation, regulatory investigations and enforcement, disputes, AML/CTF and sanctions, and privacy laws. Steven has advised on multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigations and proceedings before the UK, Hong Kong and Australian Courts. He adopts a highly commercial approach and is focused on helping clients navigate regulatory complexity and achieve commercial outcomes. Steven is ranked Rising Star by Legal500 for Fintech and Financial Services Regulatory. He is admitted in Australia, Hong Kong and England & Wales.

Michael Bacina, Partner, Travers Thorp Alberga

Michael advises on digital law and leverages nearly 20 years of legal experience to provide highly commercial advice to digital asset and fintech clients. He advises on structuring, contracts, project development and funds involving offshore structures. He co leads the fintech group at Travers Thorp Alberga from Grand Caymand and is presently Executive-in-Residence with Global Digital Finance helping drive policy and regulatory change to enable digital asset trading around the world.

Chambers & Partners have ranked Michael since 2019 for his legal work and he is recognised in Who's Who Legal and the Legal500. From 2019 to 2024 Michael served on the Board of the Digital Economy Council of Australia and from 2014 to 2024 he served on the Board of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce. From 2016 to 2024 Michael led the Piper Alderman blockchain team and worked closely with Steven.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce (MQU), a Bachelor of Laws (MQU), a Masters of Laws (UNSW) and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law). He is admitted to practice law in the Cayman Islands and Australia.