Crypto Lawyers
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Crypto Lawyers
The rapid growth of cryptocurrency has transformed the financial landscape, bringing opportunities but also significant challenges. As crypto assets become more integrated into global economic systems, disputes related to ownership, misappropriation, and misuse are increasingly common.
Our accomplished team is equipped with the skills, resources, and strategic insight needed to navigate this highly technical and evolving field of law. We leverage cutting-edge technology and collaborate with blockchain specialists to ensure your case is managed with precision and expertise.
For more information on how we can help you with a crypto asset recovery or litigation matter, please call us on 020 4586 4577 or make an online enquiry, and one of our specialist lawyers will be in touch.
Crypto asset litigation and recovery services
Our specialist crypto asset recovery lawyers help individuals, businesses, and insolvency practitioners navigate the complexities of crypto-related legal disputes – including those involving multijurisdictional matters, blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Whether you’re pursuing a claim, defending against one, or seeking to resolve an international dispute, we provide clear, practical advice tailored to your needs.
How we can help you
Each case is approached with a unique strategy, ensuring the best possible outcome for our clients.
Our fully comprehensive services include:
- Establishing ownership of crypto assets
- Tracing crypto assets (including international crypto asset tracing)
- Fraud relating to crypto assets
- Recovery of crypto assets
- Freezing orders and other forms of interim relief
- Crypto asset disputes and litigation
- Resolving smart contract issues
- Providing guidance on unregulated schemes and mis-selling claims.
Understanding crypto asset fraud
Crypto asset fraud typically involves deception or misrepresentation to obtain another party’s digital assets. Fraudulent schemes often exploit the anonymity and decentralisation inherent in cryptocurrencies, making it challenging to trace and recover stolen funds.
Common examples include:
- Ponzi schemes: Fraudsters promise high returns to early investors, funded by incoming investments rather than genuine profits.
- Phishing attacks: Malicious actors trick victims into sharing private keys or login credentials to wallets.
- Rug pulls: Developers promote a new cryptocurrency or project, only to vanish with investors’ funds.
- Exchange hacks: Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in trading platforms to steal assets.
Legal challenges in addressing crypto fraud
Unlike traditional financial instruments, cryptocurrencies often lack centralised intermediaries like banks, making the recovery process more complex. Challenges include:
- Anonymity: Transactions are pseudonymous, making it difficult to identify perpetrators.
- Jurisdictional issues: Crypto fraud often spans multiple countries, complicating enforcement.
- Volatility: Rapid fluctuations in value can affect claims and damages.
How we can help you
Working with crypto specialists, we help trace stolen assets and use all legal remedies available to uncover the fraudsters’ identities and locations. We can also help clients apply for injunctions to prevent the dissipation of assets, ensuring that fraudsters within and outside the UK can be held accountable.
Cross-border cases: the international nature of cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies are inherently global, with transactions recorded on decentralised blockchain networks. This cross-border nature creates complex jurisdictional issues in crypto litigation, especially when assets, exchanges, or defendants are based overseas.
Key challenges
Common jurisdictional challenges in cross-border crypto asset cases include:
- Determining jurisdiction: Courts must decide whether they have authority over disputes involving foreign defendants or transactions.
- Conflict of laws: Differences in legal systems complicate the enforcement of judgments across jurisdictions.
- Asset tracing: Identifying and recovering assets often requires cooperation between international regulators and law enforcement agencies.
How we can help you
Our team helps clients navigate the complexities of cross-border cases, providing strategic advice and liaising with international legal and regulatory partners. With access to blockchain specialists and a global network of experts, we effectively trace and recover crypto assets across jurisdictions.
Recovery of crypto assets in insolvency situations
UK courts increasingly recognise cryptocurrencies as property under common law, paving the way for their inclusion in insolvency estates. However, crypto assets’ intangible nature and volatility pose unique challenges for insolvency practitioners.
“There are increasing numbers of cases worldwide where either a crypto business has failed, crypto assets form part of an insolvent Estate or assets in an Estate are converted into crypto assets with a view to avoiding payment to creditors.”
Crypto assets in cross border insolvency, Summit Law
Our services in crypto insolvency cases
At Summit Law, we work with clients and insolvency practitioners to:
- Locate assets: Identify wallets, accounts, or exchange holdings linked to the insolvent party.
- Engage experts: Work with blockchain forensics specialists to trace and validate transactions.
- Prevent unauthorised transactions: Use orders and injunctions to prevent the dissipation of assets.
- Resolve ownership disputes: Crypto assets may be subject to competing claims, requiring legal resolution.
- Navigate jurisdictional issues: We help clients navigate cross-border laws where assets are held overseas.
- Valuation: Determine the value of crypto holdings, often based on the market rate at a specific date.
Our expertise ensures crypto assets are properly realised for the benefit of creditors. To learn more about crypto assets in cross border insolvency, read our handy guide.
Cryptocurrency litigation
Our crypto asset lawyers help clients navigate the complexities of cryptocurrency litigation. Whether you are an individual, a business, or an investor, we provide tailored legal strategies to resolve disputes effectively and protect your interests.
Our cryptocurrency litigation services
Backed with a proven track record, we help clients with a wide range of cryptocurrency disputes, including:
- Misappropriated assets
- Smart contract breaches
- NFT disputes
- Mis-selling of cryptocurrency
- Cross-border claims
Our clients often face disputes involving major players in the digital currency ecosystem, such as cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain platforms, financial advisors, developers and promoters.
Tailored strategies for success
Cryptocurrency litigation requires a unique approach due to the technical and legal complexities of digital assets. At Summit Law, we provide bespoke strategies tailored to the specific circumstances of your case.
Our bespoke approach includes:
- Detailed case analysis: We thoroughly assess your case to identify the best legal remedies and anticipate potential challenges.
- Expert collaboration: Partnering with blockchain forensics specialists, financial experts, and IT consultants, we build robust evidence to support your claim.
- Proactive litigation: Our lawyers are skilled in pursuing swift and decisive action, including obtaining freezing orders, disclosure orders, and other interim relief to secure your position.
- Cross-border expertise: For international disputes, we leverage our global network of legal, regulatory, and crypto partners to handle jurisdictional complexities effectively.
Freezing orders and other interim relief
Given the ease with which cryptocurrencies can be transferred or hidden, freezing orders are a powerful tool for preserving assets during litigation. These orders prevent defendants from dissipating crypto assets before a final judgment is issued.
Key challenges
Challenges in enforcing freezing orders include:
- Jurisdictional reach: Enforcing freezing orders across borders may require cooperation from foreign courts or authorities.
- Identifying assets: Locating wallets and private keys is essential to enforce freezing orders effectively.
- Technological evasion: Sophisticated defendants may use privacy-enhancing tools or decentralised exchanges to circumvent orders.
We combine legal expertise with a deep understanding of blockchain technology to navigate these challenges effectively.
How we can help you
At Summit Law, we have extensive experience securing and enforcing freezing orders. We also assist with:
- Disclosure orders: Requiring exchanges or third parties to provide information about transactions or account holders.
- Search orders: Allowing physical or digital searches for evidence of misappropriated assets.
- Proprietary injunctions: Preventing defendants from dealing with specific crypto assets.
Defending against freezing orders
Freezing orders can impose significant restrictions on individuals and businesses, often impacting financial operations and reputations. If you are subject to a freezing order, it is essential to act swiftly and seek expert legal advice to challenge or manage the order effectively.
Grounds for challenging a freezing order
Freezing orders can be challenged on several grounds, including:
- Lack of merit in the underlying claim: Demonstrating that the claimant’s case is weak or lacks a valid legal basis.
- No credible risk of dissipation: Arguing there is no evidence to suggest the defendant intends to dissipate their assets.
- Overreach: Showing that the freezing order is too broad, restricting assets unrelated to the dispute.
- Non-disclosure by the claimant: Identifying instances where the claimant failed to disclose material facts when applying for the order.
- Hardship caused by the order: Highlighting the disproportionate impact of the order on the defendant’s ability to meet living expenses, business costs, or other obligations.
How we can help you
At Summit Law, we help clients defend against freezing orders, ensuring their rights and interests are protected. As well as challenging the validity of freezing orders, we can argue for modifications, and advise on strategies to minimise any potential damage caused.
For clients seeking to obtain a freezing order, our expertise in defending against them enables us to draft robust and well-founded applications that will withstand scrutiny in court.
Whether you’re seeking to obtain or defend against a freezing order, we provide the strategic support needed to protect your interests and achieve the best possible outcome.
Reasons to choose our crypto solicitors
Crypto asset litigation often involves technical and legal complexities. Engaging the specialists at Summit Law early can significantly enhance the chances of success.
Exceptional client service
We pride ourselves on delivering clear, practical advice and keeping you informed at every stage of your case. Our client-first approach ensures you are fully supported throughout the legal process.
At the forefront of crypto asset litigation
Our team stays ahead of emerging developments in crypto law, ensuring our clients benefit from cutting-edge legal solutions and industry insight.
Competitive and Transparent pricing
We offer clear, upfront pricing to help you manage costs effectively, with no hidden fees. To learn more about the likely costs involved in dealing with a crypto asset dispute, please get in touch, and we will gladly advise you.
Crypto asset litigation lawyers - FAQs
Navigating the complexities of crypto asset litigation can raise many questions. Whether you’re dealing with fraud, asset recovery, or disputes involving cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or blockchain technology, understanding your legal options is crucial.
Below, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cryptocurrency litigation to help you gain clarity and confidence as you address your legal challenges.
We assist in the recovery of a wide range of crypto assets, including:
- Cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana)
- Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
- Stablecoins
- Utility tokens
Yes, we assist clients with smart contract issues, including disputes arising from coding errors, enforcement, or performance failures.
Crypto cases in the UK are governed by:
- The Fraud Act 2006
- Provisions under common law (e.g., breach of contract or tort claims)
- International regulations, depending on the jurisdiction
For bespoke advice, contact us directly on 020 7467 3980.
Victims of crypto asset fraud can seek legal redress through civil and criminal proceedings. Civil claims often rely on torts such as deceit or unjust enrichment, while criminal proceedings target perpetrators under the Fraud Act 2006. Courts may also grant freezing orders or require exchanges to disclose user information to aid recovery.
The time frame for resolving a cryptocurrency dispute depends on the case’s complexity. Factors such as the type of claim, the involvement of cross-border jurisdictions, the availability of evidence, and the cooperation of exchanges or third parties can all influence the duration.
Some cases may be resolved within a few months through negotiation or mediation, while others involving litigation or multiple jurisdictions could take longer.
Yes, although cryptocurrencies operate on pseudonymous systems, transactions are recorded on public blockchains.
Using advanced blockchain forensic tools, it is often possible to trace the movement of assets and identify wallet addresses linked to the perpetrators. However, tracing can become more challenging if privacy-focused cryptocurrencies or obfuscation techniques are used.
Yes, it is possible to bring a claim even if the fraudster is outside England & Wales. UK courts may assert jurisdiction if there is a sufficient connection to the UK, such as if the victim is based there or if the fraudulent activity involved UK-based assets.
International claims may require coordination with legal partners in the relevant jurisdictions, and Summit Law is experienced in handling such cases.
Cryptocurrency exchanges may be compelled to cooperate through legal measures. UK courts can issue disclosure orders requiring exchanges to provide information about account holders or transactions.
International cooperation and enforcement mechanisms may be required if the exchange operates outside the UK. Summit Law can guide you through these processes to ensure compliance from the relevant parties.
Contact our litigation lawyers in London
Based in the heart of legal London, our expert litigation solicitors provide legal services for individuals and businesses in London, across the UK, Europe, South America, and the USA.
Members of the International Legal and Accounting Solutions (ILAS) – an international network of trusted professional advisors – we have everything it takes to support clients regardless of geographical location.
For your free consultation, simply call us on 020 4586 4574 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch.
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