Fintech & Blockchain Insights
The swift and explosive growth of blockchain technology is fueling advances in industries ranging from financial services and manufacturing to retail and healthcare. Blockchain is poised to transform the way companies do business, making complex transactions efficient and increasing the productivity of employees and capital. Its seemingly unbreakable security, extraordinary precision, scalability, transparency and low cost make it more attractive than traditional systems.
As thought leaders in the industry, Sullivan & Worcester helps clients navigate emerging legal issues and regulatory uncertainties, manage risk, identify opportunities and proactively plan for the future. Joel Telpner practices in the blockchain space and leads policy initiatives on global regulatory issues for blockchain on behalf of the Global Blockchain Business Council and the Blockchain Research Institute. He speaks often on the subject and participates in panels worldwide, including the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Most recently, he was named a 2018 Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazer by the National Law Journal.
Videos:
 The Future of Blockchain and Trust April 19, 2018 |  Blockchain to the Bahamas March 1, 2018 |  Developments Involving FinTech and BlockChain Initiatives May 18, 2017 |
Speaking engagements:
- Blockland Solutions Conference, Blockland Cleveland (December 1, 2018)
- Blockchain Beyond Bitcoin, Amcham and the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce (October 29, 2018)
- Industry Self-Regulatory Trade Group Initiative, Stable Conf 2018 (October 25, 2018)
- Blockchain Diversity and International ICO, Global Blockchain Summit (October 20, 2018)
- Regulatory Update—What’s New at the SEC, FINRA and CFTC, Blockchain Shift (October 11, 2018)
- Where is Blockchain Working Today?, Evolving Links (October 9, 2018)
- Topics Related to ICOs and Crypto Currency, Withum Global Summit (September 27, 2018)
- Future of Crypto Regulations: Are we at the end of an era or at the beginning of new cooperation?, Futurama Blockchain Innovators Summit (September 13, 2018)
- Regulatory Approaches to Cryptocurrencies and Token Sales, Wharton Reg@Tech (September 9, 2018)
- Regulation and Compliance in Blockchain Investing, Caden NYC (August 7, 2018)
- Crypto Hedge Fund Summit 2018, New York Marriott Downtown, New York (July 27, 2018)
- Path Toward Exchanges, Crypto Funding Summit: Security Tokens & ICOs (July 25, 2018)
- Change or Die! The Transformation of Financial Markets, European Business Leaders' Convention (June 28, 2018)
- A Global Perspective on Regulatory Frameworks for Cryptocurrency and ICOs, Bahamas Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference (June 21, 2018)
- All-Member Summit, Blockchain Research Institute (June 13, 2018)
- Charting a Path Towards Sensible Blockchain Regulation, Blockchain Research Institute (June 13, 2018)
- The Spring Investment Institute Forum, The Investment Institute (May 22, 2018)
- Regulation Roundtable, Blockchain Research Institute (May 10, 2018)
- Debate Night: Blockchain in Finance, Sullivan & Worcester Conference Center, New York, NY (May 8, 2018)
- Fireside Chat: Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower, Brittany Kaiser, Sullivan & Worcester Conference Center, New York, NY (April 19, 2018)
- Regulation of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, Columbia Law School (April 16, 2018)
- Regulation of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, Fordham University School of Law (April 11, 2018)
- Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Advantages and Potential Threats, Amcham Finland (April 9, 2018)
- Blockchain: All you need to know, iBeeHub Foundation (April 7, 2018)
- Conference on Technology and Future Economy 2018, Johns Hopkins School of International Relations (April 6, 2018)
- Crypto's, ICOs, CBDC, oh my! Where are we going with these?, R3 (April 4, 2018)
- Tokenization: Intro to New & Powerful Form of Decentralized Value Creation, Asset Tokenization NYC (April 3, 2018)
- Cryptocurrencies and ICOs – Showcase: Viveca Media, WeWork Financial District (March 29, 2018)
- Quesnay TechTalks AI: Directionally right but down a slippery slope?, Quesnay TechTalks (March 26, 2018)
- Crypto-Skeptic or Believer: What does 2018 have in store for Cryptocurrencies?, PluggedIn BD (March 21, 2018)
- Blockchain Evolution and the Rise of Securitized Assets, Agentic Group (March 6, 2018)
- ICOs - Best Practices, Davos-Klosters, Switzerland (January 22, 2018)
- The Basics of Bitcoin Structuring, New York City Bar Center, New York, NY (January 18, 2018)
- Basics on Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies, Kriminaaliklubi (January 16, 2018)
- Blockchains - Legal and Licensing Implications, Helsinki, Finland (January 15, 2018)
- Blocktails - The Future of Blockchain with Holiday Cocktails, Sullivan & Worcester Conference Center, New York, NY (November 27, 2017)
- Unpacking the new wave of hybrid ICOs, Sullivan & Worcester Conference Center, New York, NY (October 24, 2017)
- Personal Data Week, Sullivan & Worcester, 1633 Broadway, 32nd Floor, New York, NY (August 21, 2017)
- Are Digital Coins in Bubbles?, World FinTech Forum 2017 (July 21, 2017)
- Understanding Smart Contracts: What Are They, Are They Legally Enforceable, How Can They Be Used, and What Are the Hurdles to Adoption?, World FinTech Forum 2017 (July 20, 2017)
- Global Transactions in the Age of Trump and Brexit, Convene Midtown East, New York, NY (June 13, 2017)
- Developments Involving FinTech and BlockChain Initiatives, Pinners Hall, 105-108 Old Broad Street, London EC2N 1EN (May 18, 2017)
- Towards a Financial Singularity: How Blockchains and Tokenization Are Disrupting Capital, Redefining Value and Creating Financial Inclusion, Sullivan & Worcester, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY (April 18, 2017)
- Emerging Links Blockchain Conference, Sao Paulo, Brazil (April 5, 2017)
Media Coverage:
- The Future of Initial Coin Offerings, Dell Technologies (August 2, 2018)
- Skype is Now Part of the Crypto Action, BTCManager (April 6, 2018)
- Over-the-Counter Cryptocurrency Exchanges See Increased Volume Following High-Profile Attacks on Online Exchanges, NewsBTC (April 3, 2018)
- OTC Crypto Market Flourishes, Powered by Skype, U.S. News (April 2, 2018)
- Australian Market to Clear Transactions Using Blockchain, Global Finance (January 11, 2018)
- Munchee Case Clarifies SEC's Stance On Digital Tokens, Law360 (January 3, 2018)
- Directors Ask: Can Blockchain Technology Save Us Money?, Board IQ (December 5, 2017)
- ICOs, The DAO, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, The Investment Lawyer (November 8, 2017)
- Sullivan & Worcester Partner Joel Telpner Named to Faculty of International Blockchain Research Institute, S&W Press Release (October 10, 2017)
- World's Biggest Tech Giants Could Boost Bitcoin in Regulatory Push, CoinDesk (May 16, 2017)