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Practice paper

Crypto regulatory arbitrage : How shifting US attitudes may have an impact on financial institutions’ behaviour

Mark A. Cianci and Xochitl S. Strohbehn
Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, 18 (3), 289-306 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.69554/BSWZ9777

Abstract

Crypto as an asset class has historically presented a variety of both opportunities and challenges for financial institutions. The meteoric rise in the value of digital assets — from non-existent to nearly US$4tr in total, in less than 20 years — underscores the massive potential for economic upside associated with exposure to cryptoassets, whether directly or indirectly. Conversely, the digital asset markets have historically experienced extreme swings in value, including downturns, that significantly outpace those of numerous other asset classes. This dynamic poses serious issues for risk managers working in financial institutions that have direct or indirect exposure to cryptoassets and crypto markets (or that are considering taking on such exposure). Meanwhile, different jurisdictions around the world have adopted a variety of legislative, regulatory, self-regulatory and judicial approaches to imposing top-down, across-the-board, legally mandated risk management. The US has historically been viewed as legally and politically more restrictive, and even punitive, relative to a number of other jurisdictions. This reality (or perception has, in turn, prompted a variety of cryptoasset developers and investors, as well as financial institutions with economic or commercial interests therein, to prefer centres of gravity in non-US jurisdictions. But recent US political developments may signal a shift in that landscape, in turn, presenting risk managers with greater optionality in terms of structuring, monitoring and managing economic and commercial relationships with cryptoasset developers and investors. Against that backdrop, this paper provides a retrospective overview of competing regulatory frameworks in numerous jurisdictions around the world; observes how inter-jurisdictional regulatory arbitrage strategies — especially from the standpoint of US versus non-US centres of gravity — may be morphing based on recent trends; and provides some practical insights for risk managers seeking to evaluate cryptoassets and/or crypto projects based on a variety of factors, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.

Keywords: crypto assets; risk management; regulation; virtual asset service providers; FinTech; financial institutions

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Author's Biography

Mark A. Cianci has nearly 15 years’ experience representing globally leading hedge funds, private equity companies, healthcare and life sciences companies, Fortune 100 corporations and other sophisticated clients in complex, high-stakes litigation. He has successfully litigated numerous high-profile cases in courts and arbitral forums across the US and internationally, with an emphasis on shareholder litigation (including securities class action litigation and breach of fiduciary duty actions), merger and acquisition (M&A) litigation, complex commercial litigation and government investigation and enforcement matters. Mark also represents clients in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space in litigation and advises on a variety of regulatory and risk-mitigation considerations, including compliance with securities laws. Prior to joining Israel David LLC as a Partner, Mark was Counsel from 2020 to 2024 at the elite international law company Ropes & Gray LLP and was an associate at that company from 2011 to 2020.

Xochitl S. Strohbehn represents clients in complex commercial litigation matters, with a particular emphasis on high-stakes bankruptcy, securities class action, shareholder derivative, cryptocurrency and asset forfeiture matters. She represents global entities operating in a range of industries, including financial services, cryptocurrency, energy, oil and gas and technology. Xochitl has significant experience litigating in federal and state courts and handling arbitrations and mediations in New York and throughout the US. She has worked in teams that have obtained significant settlements minimising client liability in numerous matters, including class action securities and derivative litigation and bankruptcy matters. Prior to attending law school, Xochitl spent significant time in the investment industry, including serving as a registered investment representative. Her experience as an investment adviser uniquely positions her to understand both business and legal issues relevant to broker-dealers, investment and fund managers, and other financial institutions. Xochitl currently co-chairs the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the American Bar Association’s Business Torts and Unfair Competition Committee.

Citation

Cianci, Mark A. and Strohbehn, Xochitl S. (2025, June 1). Crypto regulatory arbitrage : How shifting US attitudes may have an impact on financial institutions’ behaviour. In the Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions, Volume 18, Issue 3. https://doi.org/10.69554/BSWZ9777.

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cover image, Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions
Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions
Volume 18 / Issue 3
© Henry Stewart
Publications LLP

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