Fintech on the Seas features a distinguished lineup of speakers — industry pioneers, legal experts, and regulators — who are shaping the global fintech and digital assets landscape through innovation, governance, and strategic insight.
Dr. The Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley, a distinguished political figure in the British Virgin Islands, currently serves as the Premier and holds multiple vital ministerial portfolios. Dr. Wheatley represents the Seventh District and is a dedicated member of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP). He was first appointed to the British Virgin Islands Parliament in 2019 as the Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture and Representative for the Seventh District.
Dr. Wheatley’s educational background is marked by his 2016 Ph.D. in Languages and Cultures of Africa from the University of London. He also holds a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from Purdue University and an undergraduate degree in English from Clark Atlanta University.
In his current capacity as Premier, Dr. Wheatley simultaneously serves as the Minister of Finance, the Minister for Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Sustainable Development. His diverse portfolio highlights his commitment to driving economic development, environmental sustainability, and cultural enrichment in the British Virgin Islands.
Dr. The Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley’s multifaceted background and his unwavering dedication to the betterment of the British Virgin Islands establish him as a respected and highly capable leader in the region, entrusted with multiple critical ministerial responsibilities.
Lorna Smith, OBE has several decades of experience at the highest levels of public service in the British Virgin Islands and has spent the last decade supporting Caribbean Governments, corporations and individuals in various commercial ventures. She played a pivotal role in establishing BVI Finance, a public private partnership devoted to business development and promotion of the financial services industry. Prior to being elected to the House of Assembly in 2023 and serving as Deputy Premier and Minister of Financial Services Labour and Trade for seventeen months, she served as Vice President of Bank of Asia as well as a Director of several BVI businesses.
Over the course of her senior-level public service, Lorna has developed extensive relationships with leaders from the business community, international NGO’s and government leaders from around the world. She has been one of the key ‘engineers’ behind the BVI’s rise from relative obscurity to its present position as a top-flight tourist destination and one of the premier centres for global finance. Her unique experience and expertise serving as a facilitator between the public, private and non-profit worlds both within the BVI and between different nations gives her special insights into the challenges and opportunities facing organizations seeking to operate in the BVI and across the Caribbean.
In 2002, Lorna took the helm of the BVI International Finance Centre, which is charged with promoting the BVI’s Financial Services. She worked in close collaboration with the private sector, mounting promotional events in London, New York, Miami, Zurich, Geneva, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Lorna was also pivotal to getting the financial services industry restored in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma & Maria through her leadership and communications skills. She also played a vital role within Government especially on the interim Recovery Board as well as through the Rotary Club of Tortola where she raised significant sums to aid the recovery and to help the needy. Lorna was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to Public Service in the British Virgin Islands and is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow for her contributions to Rotary.
Liz is a recognised expert in blockchain technology, AML International Standards for VASPs, and regulation of virtual services, with extensive experience in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and internationally. She is an Associate Director at FFP BVI Limited, leading the VASP and SIBA department, and has played a crucial role in shaping the VASP regulatory landscape in the region.
She has been actively providing feedback to the BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC) on the VASP Act, 2022 and its further implementation, participating in panels alongside regulators to discuss challenges and opportunities for the jurisdiction in the Web3 space. She was recently appointed as a member of the advisory committee for the revision of the BVI Virtual Assets Services Providers Act, 2022, providing Legal Advice to the BVI Financial Services Commission.
She is the only BVI member of the Blockchain Lawyers Group, a leading global association of over 100 lawyers shaping the virtual assets regulatory environment since 2022. Additionally, she is an active member of the Association of Compliance Officers in BVI, further strengthening her commitment to regulatory excellence and compliance best practices.
Her expertise has made her invited at exclusive closed events, including the Fordham Law Blockchain Regulatory Symposium in New York, as well as speaker/panelist at industry-leading conferences such as ETHCC Brussels, ETH Milan (University of Bocconi), and Devcon Thailand (in collaboration with the European Crypto Initiative). Her insights focus on Virtual Asset regulations, VASP/CASP, DeFi, DAOs, FATF VASP International Standards and emerging trends in the digital asset space.
She is also a pioneer in blockchain education in the BVI, having designed and facilitated the first-ever VASP and Blockchain Technology course at the Robert Mathavious Institute. She has also delivered training sessions for leading firms such as BDO, broadening industry knowledge on virtual assets and VASP regulatory frameworks.
Beyond her professional contributions, she is a strong advocate for blockchain education and gender equality in the web3 industry. She has worked on various initiatives in the BVI to promote blockchain awareness and professional development.
With a deep commitment to regulatory clarity, industry growth, and innovation, she continues to drive discussions that shape the future of web3 and digital assets on a global scale.
Petri Basson is the founder of Hash Direct Ltd, a leading digital asset governance firm in the Cayman Islands and BVI. With a background as Director and technical lead at KPMG Cayman’s Digital Asset team, he brings deep expertise in blockchain auditing, DAO operations, and crypto compliance.
A Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) and certified in multiple IT and blockchain disciplines, Petri is also Chairman of the Blockchain Association of the Cayman Islands and the Crypto Currency Security Standard (CCSS). His blend of financial, technical, and startup experience makes him a trusted advisor to DAOs and digital asset foundations.
Petri Basson is the founder of Hash Direct Ltd and has co-founded several ventures in the crypto space. He previously led Hash Data, a blockchain data aggregation startup, and has served as a director for DAOs, foundations, and digital asset funds since 2021, with a focus on governance, operations, and crisis response.
A Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with strong IT and blockchain credentials, Petri’s blend of financial and technical expertise positions him as a trusted advisor in the digital asset ecosystem.
Kishelle Cameron is the Deputy Director of the Specialised Supervision Unit of the Financial Services Commission. She is responsible for the oversight of high-risk licensees, and those of systemic importance in the jurisdiction. This includes all banks, systemically important TCSPs, Insurance Companies and all high-risk Investment Businesses and Virtual Asset Service Providers. Kishelle leads the Commission’s FinTech Working Group and serves as the Deputy Chair of the Risk Monitoring Committee. She is also the former Deputy Director of the Investment Business Division. In her previous capacity as the Deputy Director of the Investment Business Division, Kishelle gained significant experience in supervising high-risk financial entities and has been instrumental in shaping policies and strategies within the financial regulatory framework. Kishelle is a certified member of several prestigious institutions and has completed various specialised training programs, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and expertise in her field.
Professional Qualifications
Yevheniia Broshevan, Co-Founder & CBDO of Hacken, is a cybersecurity and digital assets expert, opinion leader named in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” 2024, a Judge at “Killer Whales” Apple TV show, and has contributed to scientific papers like the EEA EthTrust Security Levels Specification v1. She advocates for a security-first approach in Blockchain, mentors, lectures, and coauthors industry standards. As a decisive leader in charge of business development, she’s played a pivotal role in Hacken’s success as a trusted blockchain security provider.
David is EY Global and Americas Assurance Leader and a partner in Ernst & Young LLP’s Financial Services Office Audit practice in San Francisco. He has deep knowledge in audit and compliance procedures as they relate to the digital asset industry.
David leads the Digital Asset Research Center, which is dedicated to supporting Assurance, Tax and Consulting engagements. The team leverages a technical understanding of distributed ledger technologies to service the blockchain and digital asset ecosystem.
He works with clients holding and transacting in digital assets to carry out financial statement audits, internal audits, audit readiness, agreed-upon procedures, transactions, system and organizational controls reporting, and forensic and related services.
David received his Bachelors in Accounting from the University of San Francisco and his PhD in Philosophy with a focus on cognitive science from the University of California, Davis. He is a CPA licensed in California.
How David is building a better working world?
David is dedicated to building a better working world by leveraging his expertise in digital assets to enhance audit and compliance practices. He actively collaborates with regulators and industry groups to establish leading practices, ensuring transparency and trust in the evolving digital landscape. His commitment to education, stemming from his teaching background, fosters a deeper understanding of complex financial systems among clients and colleagues alike.
Through his leadership at the Digital Asset Research Center, David empowers teams to navigate the intricacies of blockchain technology, ultimately contributing to a more secure and efficient financial ecosystem.
Aki Corsoni-Husain is the global head of Regulatory & Tax teams at Harneys, specialising in all aspects of contentious and non-contentious financial services, sanctions, fintech, AML, and tax information exchange law. His practice covers the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus/ EU law, and other jurisdictions within our network. Aki works intensively with and mentors all of our regulatory and tax lawyers located across the globe. As relevant, he provides consultative professional advice to governmental and regulatory authorities on the regimes underpinning global regulatory initiatives and frequently presents at conferences on these topics. Aki works on a daily basis with the world’s top financial institutions and law firms.
Prior to joining Harneys, Aki worked in the Financial Markets and Regulatory group at Dentons in London and has also spent time in-house on secondment at Goldman Sachs International, Shell plc, and ABN AMRO Bank.
Aki is the founder of, and regular contributor to, Harneys’ ground-breaking Regulatory Blog and their Expert Review podcast series. He also serves as a contributing editor to many publications, including British Virgin Islands Commercial Law, Bermuda Commercial Law and International Guide to Money Laundering Law and Practice.
Russell Crumpler is a seasoned restructuring and insolvency specialist based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), currently serving as a Senior Managing Director at Teneo, a global CEO advisory firm. He assumed this role following Teneo’s acquisition of KPMG’s BVI Restructuring business in January 2022 having run that business since 2011.
With over 25 years of experience in the BVI, UK, and Cayman Islands, Crumpler has focused on complex cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. He is a Joint Insolvency Examination Board (JIEB) qualified Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) and a licensed insolvency practitioner in the BVI.
Throughout his career, Crumpler has led advisory teams on several high-profile insolvency cases, including those involving entities such as Luckin Coffee, Exential Investments Inc., Peak Hotels & Resorts, Titan, and Victory Life. Notably, he also acts the joint liquidator of Three Arrows Capital Ltd and has, therefore, been at the forefront of resolving some of the issues that hit the crypto space in 2022.
In addition to his insolvency work, Crumpler and his team at Teneo provide services in corporate finance, forensic analysis, and other advisory solutions. He is also recognized for his contributions to the industry, having served as the former chair of RISA (BVI) Limited, the BVI’s INSOL member organization, and sat on the board of BVI Finance. He also regularly speaks at industry conferences both locally and internationally.
At ONCHAIN® Labs, I’m focused on building the infrastructure for a new era of financial services. With ONCHAIN® Ramp as a starting point, my work is leading the charge to bring everyday finances on-chain through OPN, our proprietary ONCHAIN® Payment Network.
By leveraging blockchain technology, we’re not just making transactions faster and more seamless; we’re giving you full ownership of your financial future. This is more than payments—it’s a movement to redefine financial access, ownership, and innovation for people everywhere.
Elise Donovan is the Chief Executive Officer of BVI Finance, the organisation that promotes the British Virgin Islands as a premier international finance centre (IFC). She leads global outreach for a jurisdiction that facilitates roughly US $1.4 trillion in cross-border trade and investment, working closely with industry practitioners and policymakers on emerging trends.
Her career includes senior posts at the BVI Government, the BVI Financial Services Commission, and representative offices in London and Hong Kong—experience that gives her a broad perspective on policy, regulation and market development. Donovan’s work routinely takes her to major financial hubs in Asia, Europe, the Americas and Africa, where she strengthens relationships and advances dialogue on fintech, sustainable finance, global trade and evolving regulation.
A frequent contributor to industry forums and journals, she writes and speaks widely on IFCs and the BVI’s role in the global economy.
James has a broad range of experience, managing a number of high profile multi-jurisdictional engagements including complex insolvency, restructuring, and advisory-focused engagements the UK, Cayman Islands and BVI.
James has extensive expertise and experience advising clients relating to cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and blockchain technology and has assisted in the recovery of digital assets, often in circumstances where there has been fraud or hacking activity, or where assets are held by exchanges.
His pre-Appleby experience includes being in practice at leading London law firms; in-house counsel at Lloyd´s of London and his South African experience includes practicing in a leading regional South African law firm, being in-house counsel at an international asset management group and general counsel for a leading underwriting firm.
Shan Greer is an international arbitrator and mediator associated with ArbitraInternational in London and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the BVI International Arbitration Centre. Since assuming this role in January 2023, she has leveraged over two decades of experience to promote excellence in arbitration and dispute resolution globally.
Renowned for her pragmatic and commercially astute approach, Shan has advised and represented clients across a broad range of industries in diverse jurisdictions, including the Caribbean, Europe, and North America. Her ability to handlecomplex disputes with efficiency and fairness has positioned her as a trusted leader in the field.
Shan holds a Master’s degree in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution from King’s College London and is dually qualified as a barrister and solicitor in England, with admissions to practice in Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Belize.
A sought-after arbitrator, adjudicator, and mediator, Shan’s practice includes ad hoc, institutional, international, and domestic arbitrations, seamlessly bridging civil and common law systems. Her dedication to equitable and effective dispute resolution has earned her widespread recognition and respect.
Shan’s deep expertise and strategic insights make her a valuable voice in advancing arbitration and dispute resolution, particularly within the offshore sector.
Darragh is the CEO of LEI Worldwide, a leading provider of Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) services. With a strong background in business strategy and financial technology, Darragh drives LEI Worldwide’s mission to streamline compliance processes for global institutions and foster adoption of the LEI standard with the aim of standardising identification of legal entities engaging in cross border transactions globally.
Ayana Hull is head of the BVI Private Wealth and Regulatory practice groups at Harneys. She has over twenty years of experience practising BVI commercial law. When her regulatory hat is on, her clients include banks, corporate services providers, insurance companies, funds and fund managers, advising them on restructurings and the impact of BVI regulatory legislation on their investment vehicles. As a member of the firm’s FinTech Group, she daily handles/oversees a variety of complex digital asset related matters and advises on the impact of BVI regulatory legislation on virtual asset provider services being structured through BVI companies together with the AML/CTF risks attendant to BVI structures involved in this digital space. Ayana is the ex-chairperson of the BVI Financial Services Commission’s (FSC) appointed Securities, Investment Business Act Advisory Committee and is a current member of the FSC’s appointed VASP Advisory Committee. She is also a steering committee member of the Virgin Islands Virtual Assets Association and is a member of the Honourable Lincoln’s Inn. Ayana is recognised as a leading partner in the British Virgin Islands by Legal 500 in the British Virgin Islands Regulatory & Compliance rankings in 2025. Ayana is also recognised as a highly regarded lawyer by IFLR rankings.
Michael advises on a broad range of corporate and corporate finance transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt capital markets, financings and complex corporate restructuring. Michael is widely recognised as one of the BVI’s leading public company experts and its pre-eminent special purpose acquisition company expert. Michael’s expertise in this area has been recognised internationally with him being invited to take prominent speaker roles in the SPAC industry’s premier international convention, as well as being frequently published in leading capital markets journals.
While Michael has been a leading adviser on BVI financial services regulation and investment business for some time, more recently he has led in building Ogier’s Tech practice in the BVI to become the pre-eminent one in the BVI. Michael and his team have now advised on newer innovative Tech, Web3 and other virtual asset businesses than any other firm in the BVI. He is the co-chair of Ogier’s Technology and Web3 practice group.
Michael is seen as a thought leader and key figure in the BVI’s embrace of the digital world. He has also been a member of the BVI FSC’s Financial Services FinTech Advisory Board.
Michael’s expertise also makes him a key member of Ogier’s multi-disciplinary Private Equity team for both the acquisition and exit phases of downstream PE advisory. Complimenting his general acquisitions skills, Michael is a leading BVI practitioner in structuring, investment and shareholder agreements and management and employee incentive arrangements, while his IPO and general capital markets expertise makes him a unique asset on exit strategies. Michael’s accomplishments in this area are well illustrated by his role in advising US private equity firm Baupost on its investment in UK prepared foods supplier Bakkavor and its subsequent exit by way of Bakkavor’s successful GBP 1 Billion plus IPO on the London Stock Exchange.
Michael is also a market leading adviser on complex corporate and finance reorganisations and reconstructions. He lead the BVI corporate teams on Constellation Overseas’ 2019 ground breaking “soft touch” provisional liquidation and subsequent 2020 BVI scheme of arrangement, as well as the mammoth financial reorganisation of UK-Nigerian oil and gas group Severn Energy’s note programmes.
With a client list including Coca-Cola, Hyatt Hotels, United Airlines, Western Union and Texas Pacific Group, Michael is highly regarded and respected by both clients and peers in the BVI’s legal community. A standing which has led him to be sought out for industry and government advisory appointments in the Territory. Michael is a former member of the board of directors of BVI Finance and the long standing chairman of BVI Finance’s Corporate Business Advisory Group. He is a leading adviser to both industry and government bodies in the BVI on the interpretation and application of the BVI’s Economic Substance Law. As a thought leader and key figure in the BVI’s embrace of FinTech and other new innovative financial services products Michael also sits on the BVI Financial Services Commission’s Financial Services FinTech.
Michael studied at BPP Law School in London for his Post-Graduate Diploma in Law (with Distinction) and then for the Legal Practice Course (with Commendation). He was awarded the Blackstone Award for the most outstanding student of the year in 1999. Michael also holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oxford (where he read history at St Peter’s College) and a Master of Arts degree from Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Admitted in:
2012 – British Virgin Islands
2002 – England and Wales (non practising)
Jeffrey Kirk is the managing partner of the Appleby British Virgin Islands office and he leads the BVI office Corporate Practice Group. He advises on public and private M&A, capital markets, banking & finance, FinTech including digital assets, investment funds & services, private equity, (re)insurance and other corporate matters. He is also the global head of the Appleby Islamic Finance Practice Group. Jeffrey has worked in the Appleby London, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands and BVI offices and has extensive experience advising on the laws of the BVI, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
His pre-Appleby experience includes being in practice at leading London law firms; in-house counsel at Lloyd´s of London and his South African experience includes practicing in a leading regional South African law firm, being in-house counsel at an international asset management group and general counsel for a leading underwriting firm.
James Kitching is a counsel in the Corporate practice group in our BVI office. He advises on all aspects of corporate and commercial law, often acting as a “trusted advisor” throughout a business’ lifecycle.
He has particular experience with start-up/scale-up businesses, especially within the Digital Assets and Blockchain sector. James has significant knowledge of all types of Web3 projects and has advised on numerous token offerings, platform launches, trading operations, and other crypto projects. He has represented clients across the sector including major video game developers, exchanges, blockchains, and traditional and non-traditional DeFi ventures.
James served as BVI counsel to Berachain on the launch of its groundbreaking proof-of-liquidity blockchain. His clients also include RavenQuest, the most streamed Web3 game, and Avail, founded by Polygon co-founder Anurag Arjun.
He is also closely involved with the firm’s publicly listed clients, working on IPOs, providing ongoing corporate and commercial support, and specialising in advising special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), including listings and business combinations. Notably, he advised ACG Metals – one of the most notable BVI, UK listed SPACs – on its initial listing and first business combination, and supported WISeKey on the spin-out of its subsidiary, SEALSQ, as a separately listed US entity.
James is recognised by his peers and legal directories as a rising star and is one of the driving forces behind the firm’s H3: Digital Assets and Blockchain practice.
He joined us in 2021, having previously practised with the transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson LLP and in-house at British insurer Liverpool Victoria. Prior to joining us, James was an elected Council Member of the Law Society of England and Wales and sat on the Executive Committee of the Junior Lawyers Division.
Jim is the Regional Managing Director of Aon’s Blockchain and Technology Practice, where he leads the growth and development of the firm’s regional Technology and Digital Asset industries. He personally advises many of the world’s leading Technology and Digital Asset companies and has supported over 100 firms in securing insurance coverage for their IPOs on both U.S. and international exchanges. With a legal background, Jim began his career as an attorney at a major insurance defense law firm in New York City and later served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York. He was also the CEO of Nasdaq’s International Insurance division, Carpenter Moore PLC. Jim is a recognized voice in the Digital Asset sector, having spoken on and moderated numerous panels, and has engaged with regulators across jurisdictions such as the United States, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda to address emerging industry trends. He lives in New York with his wife Bernadette and their five children, and also manages a small gentleman’s farm in upstate New York.
DLT Solutions was founded in 2022 by Ronan Kuczaj, a UK & Irish national resident in the BVI. Ronan has a BA in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University and an MA in South-East European Studies, from the School of Slavonic & East European Studies, UCL. He is a Chartered Director and also holds a Diploma in International Trust Management. Ronan is an experienced international financial services professional, with an open minded and broad international perspective on both traditional and innovative business. Ronan has an extensive network of contacts, partners and resources, both in the Caribbean and internationally and is well regarded by leading professionals in the region. His approach is frank and he is known for his ability to provide pragmatic guidance on navigating challenges.
Kayla Laidlaw is a Tax Director with Deloitte BVI and is Deloitte’s FATCA/CRS and Tax Policy Leader for the Caribbean region. Kayla has been with Deloitte for almost 14 years, and is focused on assisting clients across the Caribbean region with meeting their global tax transparency and information reporting obligations, including FATCA, CRS, BEPS, ES, CARF, and Pillar II. She has also assisted with the implementation of regulatory reporting portals and the related administration and oversight processes for various tax authorities in the region.
Katrina is an experienced corporate and finance lawyer and a key member of the firm’s growing virtual assets practice.
During her three years with the Carey Olsen Jersey office, she acted on a number of high profile transactions, including the establishment of the largest real estate fund to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. In addition to working with global financial institutions and leading international law firms, Katrina also worked closely with local businesses, advising on various matters relating to Jersey property unit trusts, limited partnerships, investment funds and protected or incorporated cell companies.
Katrina relocated to the Carey Olsen BVI office in 2016 and has developed a diverse practice in advising clients from around the globe on BVI corporate, mergers & acquisitions, financing, security enforcement, restructuring and virtual asset related matters. She is retained as general BVI legal counsel to various publicly listed companies, given the breadth and depth of matters she is able to advise on, and she regularly assists clients in the virtual assets space to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
Career:-
Katrina completed her legal traineeship with Brodies LLP and qualified as a solicitor in Scotland in 2013.
She obtained a first class LLB Honours from Strathclyde University in Glasgow and completed the Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Glasgow.
Katrina was admitted as a Solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (BVI) on 17 January 2017.
Mr Glenford Malone was appointed Deputy Managing Director, Regulation in January 2022 and is responsible for implementing the Commission’s overall regulatory strategy. Mr Malone has over two decades of experience within the regulatory environment, having served many roles, such as Senior Regulator, Deputy Director, Investment Business and prior to 2002, assistant Registrar of Mutual Funds with the former Financial Services Department, now BVI Financial Services Commission. Mr Malone is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and is a trained Financial Examiner in the FATF Methodology of Assessing Compliance with the FATF 40 Recommendations.
Professional Qualifications
David Mathews is a partner in our Digital Assets & Blockchain practice based in the Cayman Islands. He has significant experience with all types of blockchain-based projects and has advised on a significant number of token offerings, DAO structures, platform launches, trading operations, and other crypto projects. He has represented clients across the Web3 sector, ranging from founder-led start-ups to large institutions, including clients from both the decentralised and traditional finance sectors.
He also has extensive experience in more mainstream corporate matters, with expertise in general corporate and commercial, debt finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and acting for publicly listed companies. David has a particular focus on SPACs and has advised numerous SPACs and sponsor vehicles from their initial launch through to their business combination and de-SPAC.
David began his legal career in the London office of Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, focussing on private equity mergers and acquisitions and debt finance. Before joining Harneys in 2025, David worked in the British Virgin Islands offices of two other leading offshore law firms.
Cecile is a global CFO and business leader with extensive experience in tech and Web3 startups since 2017, serving as VP and CFO. Currently the CFO at P00LS, a SocialFi and gaming platform, she previously held key roles at LGO (an institutional crypto exchange platform) and at Bender Labs, a DeFi protocol. Cecile brings deep expertise in business and finance, covering all areas of finance: from business planning and analysis to transactional finance, shared services, tax, and treasury, as well as a strong understanding of Web3.
Edward, known as Eddie to his clients, focuses on providing Directorship and DAO Services to web3 funds, DAOs foundations and OpCo’s and is the Managing Director of Marfire.
In his previous role, Eddie served as an Audit Director at KPMG in the Cayman Islands, where he fulfilled the engagement leader role signing external audit opinions for some of the world’s largest digital asset and asset management funds. He was a founding member of KPMG’s digital asset sub-practice helping develop the methodology, tools and resources now used globally by KPMG. Eddie has over 10 years of external audit experience, leading digital asset and asset management clients including a wide range of both onshore and offshore investment management structures, strategies, and investment products in both the digital asset and traditional asset management sectors.
Eddie had his first experience with digital assets in 2016, initially effecting an arbitrage trading strategy with Bitcoin. This led to a deep dive into Bitcoin, and eventually the larger ecosystem with Eddie’s interest now being predominantly in the DeFi sub-sector, where he personally enjoys experimenting with liquidity pools, lending protocols and other DeFi activities across multiple blockchains.
Eddie grew up in South Africa, where he completed his education in accounting and finance.
Eddie has been a resident of the Cayman Islands for over 10 years, giving him a keen insight into the mechanics of navigating offshore jurisdictions and a deep knowledge and network of both offshore and onshore service providers.
Qualifications:
o Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting (University of KwaZulu Natal) 2010
o Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting (University of KwaZulu Natal) 2011
o Chartered Accountant CA (SA)
o Member of the Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants
Co-Founder of Lemma – DAO Services
A Cayman-based firm specializing in DAO and Foundation operations, Lemma helps global Web3 teams—from initial structuring to post-token launch—scale securely and compliantly. Since its founding in 2022, Lemma has supported some of the space’s most ambitious projects. A qualified South African Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), Karel began his career at Deloitte South Africa, working with both public and private companies across mining, media, private equity, and insurance. He then gained international experience through roles at Deloitte USA and Deloitte Cayman Islands. His journey into crypto began in 2020 with a deep curiosity about Bitcoin, which evolved into a passion for decentralized governance, token design, and regulatory frameworks. At Lemma, he works hands-on with Web3 teams, leveraging close relationships with global service providers to deliver operational excellence and infrastructure that scales. Outside of work, he maintains an active interest in moral philosophy and the ethics of emerging technologies.
Qualifications:
Bachelor in Accounting – University of Stellenbosch
Honours in Accounting – University of Stellenbosch
Chartered Accountant CA(SA)
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Ethics
Chris is co-head of Litigation & Insolvency and Restructuring in the British Virgin Islands. He has experience in all the types of disputes work that frequently arises in the BVI including fraud and bribery claims, disputes relating to the ownership and management of companies, minority shareholder claims, and insolvency and restructuring cases.
Chris has a particular specialism for fraud and asset recovery cases. The majority of his work entails applying for and opposing applications for interim relief, particularly injunctive relief and third-party disclosure orders. He also advises on insolvency cases, often where insolvency practitioners seek to bring actions to recover assets that have been misappropriated by former management. In addition, Chris has advised on a number of restructurings, including one of the first instances in the BVI involving the appointment of “light touch” provisional liquidators.
Prior to joining Harneys, Chris practised as a solicitor in London for 10 years. He initially trained and worked at a US firm specialising in fraud and asset recovery work before moving to Linklaters where he advised accounting firms, banks and private equity funds on a broad range of disputes and investigations.
Chris has a keen interest in technology and innovation, both within the legal market and the wider economy. Chris has advised on a number of disputes concerning cryptocurrencies and has published articles on such matters, including identifying the fraud risks arising from use of cryptocurrencies and the way such assets can be recovered.
Marc is a former Counsel at Harneys in the Cayman Islands where he was a key team member in the firm’s global Web3 practice. He is a recognized and recommended lawyer by Legal 500 and was noted as “Up and Coming” by Chambers in their 2024 guide.
Marc’s thought leadership as an industry specialist extends to years of published material, including co-founding, contributing to and editing the Law Society of England and Wales’ Blockchain Legal and Regulatory Guidance report from 2020 to 2023, hosting the “Piano Lessons” crypto podcast series, contributing to the British Virgin Islands chapter of “Crypto Assets in Trusts and Foundations” published by Globe Law and Business in 2024, and authoring “DAOs: a note of caution” for Harneys during 2022 and 2023.
Marc has worked on more than 100 blockchain-related projects across three jurisdictions over seven years. He was sought out as an adviser to some of the world’s largest digital assets projects and infrastructure, leading on structuring their mission-critical offshore operational and governance elements, and has worked with both regulated and non-regulated entities. Marc’s position as one of the leading legal minds with vast experience in the space at all stages of a project’s lifecycle will benefit any project seeking to operate out of the Cayman Islands or the BVI.
Kimberly Rosales is a pioneering Canadian entrepreneur born in Costa Rica. She has cultivated a fierce reputation as a visionary in the finance ecosystem, seamlessly integrating FinTech, blockchain, and cutting-edge global technologies into her diverse professional repertoire. Her passion and unwavering dedication have been the driving forces behind her impressive career.
A consummate entrepreneur, Kimberly has been instrumental in propelling numerous companies forward by leveraging her extensive financial and business acumen to elevate their operations. Her holistic approach to consulting and branding yields unique, impactful solutions that deliver rapid growth and exceptional returns.
As a trailblazer in the predominantly male cryptocurrency industry, Kimberly has championed the representation of intelligent women in finance. By paving the way for female leaders, she is proudly creating more opportunities at the financial table for those who follow in her footsteps.
Anna Silver leads the FFP office in the British Virgin Islands, where she advises clients through the entire life cycle of their businesses—from incorporation and serving as registered agent or authorised representative, to dissolution and liquidation. A qualified chartered accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales, Anna also holds Joint Board qualifications, is a member of the Insolvency Practitioners Association, and is licensed for insolvency work in the BVI. Her academic credentials include a BA (Hons) in Law and a postgraduate diploma in international insolvency law. Currently, she is pursuing the STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) Diploma to enhance her ability to address the trust elements often found in both distressed and non-contentious corporate structures.
With over 18 years of professional experience, Anna has worked offshore since 2017 and previously held roles at boutique firms across the UK. Her experience spans a wide range of industries and complex jurisdictions, including the Middle East, Russia, and Eastern Europe. She brings substantial expertise in managing offshore and onshore structures, offering advisory services to fiduciaries, and providing financial analysis and forecasting. Anna has also been appointed as an independent director in both distressed and standard business contexts. Her deep understanding of corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and the supervision of regulated entities allows her to deliver a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to every client engagement.
Graham Stanton Is the Founding Partner of ID Theory, a hybrid Crypto Fund launched in 2019 and based here in the BVI. ID Theory is passionately focussed on 3 key verticals, Decentralised AI (DeAI), Decentralised Finance(DeFi) and Decentralised Science(DeSci).
Prior to launching ID Theory Graham was Chief Commercial Officer of Fintech business World First, where he spent 10 years growing the company from a startup to eventual sale to Ant Financial.
Nia Statham is an Associate at Baker & Partners (Cayman) Limited with a focus on Web3 disputes, asset tracing and recovery, fraud and dispute resolution.
Nia was admitted as an Attorney-at-Law in the Cayman Islands in May 2023. She was also admitted to practise as a solicitor in the British Virgin Islands (March 2021) and in England & Wales (November 2017).
Nia graduated from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom in 2011 and continued her education at the University of Law in Bristol where she achieved a Graduate Diploma in Law and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Prior to joining Baker & Partners in May 2023, Nia trained and qualified at a US law firm before moving to an employment boutique and later a full-service national law firm in New Zealand. She then practised at a top 10 offshore firm in the British Virgin Islands and has gained broad experience in both civil and commercial dispute resolution, fraud, insolvency, restructuring, regulatory & compliance investigations, employment and competition.
Drew Taylor is the Head of Insurance for Tabit Insurance and is responsible for all insurance and reinsurance operations. Drew has spent the past decade in the insurance industry with experience on both the brokerage and re/insurer side of the insurance industry. He served as a VP of Brokerage for CRC Insurance Services in the US where he led the Digital Asset and Emerging Technology Practice Group. Prior to CRC, he was the VP of Financial and Professional Lines with Relm Insurance Ltd in Hamilton, Bermuda where he was responsible for oversight of both Insurance and Reinsurance capital deployment strategies. Drew’s experience spans the US and International insurance marketplaces including Bermuda, London and other markets. His primary focus in the insurance industry has been in the high-growth tech space including Digital Assets, AI, BioTech and other emerging sectors. Drew holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
Ethan is a seasoned financial services executive with 15 years of expertise, spanning both traditional finance and digital assets. He has led strategic initiatives across trading infrastructure, institutional partnerships, and regulatory engagement, effectively bridging established financial markets with the dynamic digital asset ecosystem.
Throughout his career, Ethan has collaborated extensively with global regulators across Hong Kong, Singapore, UAE, BVI, and other key jurisdictions to advance market development, enhance digital asset liquidity, and shape progressive regulatory frameworks. As CEO of LTP’s Hong Kong office, he drives the firm’s Asia-Pacific expansion, architects institutional digital asset strategies, and conducts high-level policy dialogue with government officials and financial authorities, positioning LTP as a globally regulated leader in the institutional digital asset space.
Amanda Wick, one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection of cryptocurrencies, geopolitics, and digital finance, offers a distinctive perspective shaped by nearly a decade of service at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she specialized in money laundering and cryptocurrency. In her powerful new book, The Catalysts, she examines the forces accelerating a seismic shift in global finance—from digital assets and decentralized tech to political fragmentation and rising tribalism. Wick’s keynote offers essential insight into the risks and opportunities of this evolving financial landscape—and what it means for policymakers, innovators, and global markets
Sarah is a Director at Marfire. She provides independent directorship services to foundation companies, funds, and OpCos with a web3 strategy.
Sarah practised as a lawyer for 12 years before joining the U.K. regulator, the FCA, then more recently, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA).
Sarah started her career at Allen & Overy LLP before moving to the legal team of a global investment bank. She
specialized in contentious regulatory and has acted for a wide range of U.K. and US based clients.
Sarah was hired by the FCA in 2015 and worked closely with overseas regulators and U.K. Government stakeholders to implement several new financial crime initiatives such as a new ‘supervisor of supervisors’ and the first registration regime for virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
More recently at CIMA, Sarah was Head of the AML Division, and helped establish the AML/CFT supervisory regime for VASPs in Cayman. She was also responsible for enforcement actions against potential VASPs as well as
contributing to multiple successful VASP registrations. She also prepared the first AML/CFT risk assessment of VASPs in Cayman and also established a methodology for assessing and collecting Travel Rule information. Her team conducted the first onsite inspections to VASPs at the end of 2023.
Sarah is a resident of the Cayman Islands and advocated on behalf of the jurisdiction to be removed from the financial action task force (FATF)’s list of countries subject to enhanced monitoring (the ‘grey list’). She also co-chaired the FATF’s risk based guidance for TCSPs and contributed to the FATF’s virtual asset contact group.
Sarah is a passionate supporter of innovation and in the Web3 space and believes the Cayman Islands is the ideal
location to support top tier, blockchain-driven business and DAOs.
Admitted as an Attorney in (but not practising):
o Supreme Court of England and Wales (2004)
o Higher Rights of Audience, England and Wales (2006)
Professional Qualifications:
o Master of Arts in History (First Class), University of Edinburgh (UK)
o Post Graduate Diploma in Law, Nottingham Law School (UK)
o Legal Practice Course, Nottingham Law School (UK)
Guy is a partner in our Corporate Department. He advises on a wide variety of corporate transactions including, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, group reorganisations, equity capital markets and corporate finance.
Guy also advises on the structuring, formation and regulation of investment funds, fund managers and regulated entities across a wide array of asset classes including cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, real estate and debt. He regularly assists investment funds and emerging technology companies with their corporate structuring, licencing obligations, fund financing and ongoing regulatory obligations.
Iona Wright is a Regulatory & Risk Advisory Partner in Walkers’ BVI office, with over 14 years’ experience working in the UK, the Cayman Islands and the BVI. She is a crypto-regulation specialist and is a Director of BVI Finance, a member of BVI Finance’s Digital Assets Working Group, a steering committee member of the Virgin Islands Virtual Assets Association, founder of Walkers’ BVI Women in Fintech network and a member of the FSC’s VASP Advisory Committee.
