The Allen & Overy Podcast archive

The developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE podcast: Spotlight on consumer protection and data privacy

Consumer protection and data privacy are at the heart of the constantly evolving cryptoasset regulatory regime in the UAE.

In this episode, Middle East based senior associates Victoria Ferres (Financial Services Regulatory), David Berman (Litigation, Investigations and Contentious Regulatory) and Ravinder Mattu (Technology and Data Protection) explore why consumer protection and data privacy considerations are so important in the cryptoasset space and the measures that are in place in the UAE in order to protect consumers and manage data privacy issues in respect of cryptoassets.

They will explore the key consumer protection considerations relevant to cryptoassets under the various ‘onshore’ and ‘offshore’ legal jurisdictions which make up the UAE and also data protection regulations which apply to cryptoassets and distributed ledger technology, or DLT, and the key challenges which arise from this.

This podcast will be of interest to anyone involved in the crypto space or who is seeking to become involved in the crypto sector in the UAE, or in the broader GCC region.

This podcast forms part of a series where we will be focusing on key considerations relevant to the developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE

Episode 1: Deconstructing Crypto: Disruptive trading in the digital asset market

In this first episode, New York-based partners Todd Fishman and Eugene Ingoglia focus on disruptive trading practices, such as front-running, insider trading, and cross-market manipulation.

Mandatory and voluntary carbon markets

In this episode of Allen & Overy's Market Horizons podcast series, Derivatives & Structured Finance Senior Associates, Victoria White and Kate Whelan (London), and International Capital Markets Counsel, Christian Kloepfer (Frankfurt) provide an introduction to the mandatory and voluntary carbon markets and highlight some of the key expected developments. They also provide an overview of some of the questions we are receiving from derivatives clients.

Practical implications of the UK’s data reform plans

Listen to Steve Wood, our special advisor on data protection, and Emma Keeling, Senior PSL, discuss the broader implications of the UK’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. 

Among the topics discussed, Steve considers the impact that the changes may bring for business when thinking about juggling compliance with multiple data protection regimes, effecting international data transfers, maintaining the UK’s adequacy status, and reforming the ICO.

As the UK regime evolves, what is the bigger picture and what does it mean for your organisation?

For further information on the UK data protection reforms, read Steve Wood’s blog here. 

The developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE podcast - Spotlight on distributed ledger technology

One of the key advantages of distributed ledger technology networks is that they eliminate the need for a central authority to keep a check against manipulation. The very nature of a decentralized ledger makes them immune to cyber-crime, as all the copies stored across the network need to be attacked at the same time for the attack to be successful, which is practically impossible.

 

In this episode, Middle East based senior associates Victoria Ferres (Financial Services Regulatory and Ravinder Mattu (Technology and Data Protection) focus on distributed ledger technology and its practical implications in the UAE. 

 

This podcast will be of interest to anyone involved in the crypto space or who is seeking to become involved in the crypto sector in the UAE, or in the broader GCC region.

 

This podcast forms part of a series where we will be focusing on key considerations relevant to the developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE.

Podcast: Perspectives on the future of banking – In conversation with senior iNED Paola Bergamaschi Broyd

In this new episode, Paola Bergamaschi Broyd, a senior independent non-executive director, talks to Sally Dewar, CEO of A&O Consulting, about the strategic opportunities and challenges facing banks in the near to medium term.

Paola and Sally discuss the role and value of organisational culture and governance for banks and the challenges facing boards and senior management arising from the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid working. In particular, they look at the wider impact of these changes on the development and retention of talent and the need to respond to the evolving expectations of employees and regulators. 

Among the other topics discussed, Paola and Sally reflect on banks’ efforts to tackle decarbonisation and sustainability, the focus on DE&I and the effectiveness of how banks are approaching the goal of making their organisations and their boards more diverse and inclusive.

This episode was recorded in May 2022.

Market Horizons podcast: More than a splash of colour – green bonds in the mainstream debt capital markets

In this episode of Allen & Overy’s Market Horizons podcast series, partners in A&O’s International Capital Markets practice, Amanda Thomas (London), Tom Grant (London) and Julien Sebastien (Paris), together with Jennifer Cresswell, counsel in A&O’s International Capital Markets practice, discuss green bonds in the mainstream debt capital markets. Together, they cover disclosure in relation to use of proceeds bonds, contractual protection and the re-labelling of bonds as green bonds, before contemplating what might be coming down the track in terms of a legal framework for green bonds.

Further headwinds ahead in the UK retail crypto market? Part two: new UK financial promotions regime rules

A flurry of initiatives are tightening rules around crypto advertising in the UK. In this episode, our regulatory experts, Ben Regnard-Weinrabe, Gregory Talbot and Jamie Greenwood explain what's happening and why it matters.

Topics covered in this podcast include:

• The proposals to extend the financial promotions regime to unregulated cryptoassets
• Who will be caught by the extension of the financial promotions regime
• What they need to do to comply with the new regime
• When the extension of the financial promotions regime to unregulated cryptoassets is expected to take effect

Will changes to advertising rules end the UK retail crypto bubble? Part one: new ASA guidance

A flurry of initiatives are tightening rules around crypto advertising in the UK. In this two-part series, our regulatory experts, Ben Regnard-Weinrabe, Anna Lewis-Martinez and Rory Copeland explain what's happening and why it matters.

Topics covered in this podcast include:

• How crypto assets are regulated today in the UK
• What new requirements have come into effect and what’s expected to apply in future
• Why UK authorities are expediting the extension of advertising requirements for cryptoassets
• The key features of the ASA guidance on cryptoasset advertising
• How can the ASA enforce its decisions?
• Recent proposals for a new online advertising regulator within the UK

The developing cryptoasset landscape in the UAE - Spotlight on the regulation of cryptoassets

The UAE’s ambitious plan to establish itself as a regional hub for fintech and payments firms has led to the recent introduction of a host of legislation both in the mainland UAE and in the financial freezones, designed to bring certain cryptoassets and activities connected with cryptoassets within scope of regulation.

In this episode, Middle East based senior associates Victoria Ferres (Financial Services Regulatory) and David Berman (Litigation, Investigations and Contentious Regulatory), provide:

• an introduction to cryptoassets
• an overview of the key legal considerations relevant to cryptoassets in the UAE
• insights into the key regulatory regimes governing crypto in the UAE, implemented both in mainland UAE as well as in the UAE’s financial free zones.

This podcast will be of interest to anyone involved in the crypto space or who is seeking to become involved in the crypto sector in the UAE, or in the broader GCC region.