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Laurian Cristea
OVERVIEW

Laurian Cristea

Partner

New York

390 Madison Avenue
12th Floor
New York, NY 10017-2509

Raleigh

4208 Six Forks Road
Suite 1010
Raleigh, NC 27609-5738

P 646-746-2033

F 646-746-2001

Laurian Cristea transforms complex financial regulations into actionable legal strategies for his clients. With more than a decade of in-house experience, Laurian guides financial institutions through the web of legal compliance issues and regulatory challenges across the world of commodities, futures, event contracts, and digital assets.

OVERVIEW

Laurian Cristea transforms complex financial regulations into actionable legal strategies for his clients. With more than a decade of in-house experience, Laurian guides financial institutions through the web of legal compliance issues and regulatory challenges across the world of commodities, futures, event contracts, and digital assets.

Laurian's deep knowledge of U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered exchanges and clearinghouses gives clients a competitive edge. He helps them build compliant systems and security protocols, navigate technology and connectivity vendors, develop innovative products, and stay ahead of industry trends, particularly across the futures and digital asset markets.

At the heart of Laurian's practice is his ability to bridge the gap between traditional and emerging finance. Laurian works tirelessly to help clients secure crucial licenses that range from Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) and Designated Contract Market (DCM) approvals to state-level money transmitter licenses, including the coveted New York BitLicense. This experience allows clients to expand their offerings confidently and compliantly.

Beyond regulatory licensing, Laurian serves as a trusted adviser regarding day-to-day operations. He tackles governance issues, member disputes, and regulatory audits. His tenure as a chief legal officer for an exchange group gives him unique insight into the practical challenges his clients face, allowing him to offer tailored, real-world solutions.

Professional and Community Involvement

Member, New York City Bar Association Futures and Derivatives Regulation Committee, Exchange and Clearinghouse Subcommittee

Member, Law and Compliance Division Futures Industry Association

EXPERIENCE
Experience
  • Sold regulated financial services company for $550M
  • Spun-off intellectual property licensing business

Regulatory Licensing

  • Acquired and maintained 43 state money transmitter (money service) licenses for digital asset business
  • Acquired no-action relief from state banking authorities for regulations regarding money transmitter (money service) licenses 
  • Acquired and maintained a virtual currency business activity license (BitLicense) from the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) 
  • Acquired and maintained four CFTC Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO) licenses
  • Maintained a CFTC Designated Contract Market (DCM) license and a CFTC Swap Data Repository (SDR) license

Compliance and Regulatory

  • Received approval for the first futures contract based on ETH
  • Received approval for, and oversaw,  the transition of energy contracts to a new clearing house
  • Designed and launched a best-in-class compliance program adapting CFTC core principles for retail spot trading 
  • Implemented a well-tested and oft-audited BSA/AML program for spot and futures trading
  • Managed rule enforcement reviews (audits) from the CFTC’s Division of Market Oversight
  • Managed annual audits from the CFTC’s Division of Clearing and Risk 
  • Collaborated with federal regulators on guidance regarding regulatory capital for registered entities, and guidance on capital treatment of digital assets for futures commission merchants (FCMs)
  • Assisted in SOC audits and certifications

Agreements and IP

  • Acquired multiple patent registrations post-Alice Corp. v. CLS for financial methodologies 
  • Negotiated third-party agreements for banking services, clearing services, custodial and cold-wallet services, inbound and outbound licensing, managed IT services, market data and blockchain data, matching engine (white label and new-build), product development and licensing, retail crypto tax reporting and services, regulatory services (RSAs), and trading screen GUIs and routing
INSIGHTS AND EVENTS
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