About us
We work exclusively on crypto licensing for exchanges, custody providers, OTC desks, payment processors, stablecoin issuers, token issuers and Web3 projects. Founded in 2023. Expert-led from the first call to ongoing license maintenance.
Our story
Built for the way crypto regulation actually moves
CLS — Crypto License Services — was founded in 2023 by Daniel R. Whitmore after eight years at a Magic Circle firm leading the financial regulation emerging-tech desk. The thesis was simple. Crypto regulation was about to fragment across dozens of jurisdictions, and clients would be better served by a specialist firm with senior counsel in each region than by a generalist firm where crypto sits behind banking, securities and fintech in the expert queue.
Two more key experts joined within twelve months. Layla A. Hassan built MENA & APAC out of Dubai and Singapore. Marcus T. Andersson took the Americas and offshore practice. Two senior specialists followed: Tomáš Novák for EU MiCA and Eastern Europe (joining from the European Banking Authority), and Dr. Ingrid Müller as AML lead (joining from FINMA). The firm runs across five offices, exclusively focused on digital asset matters.
Who we work with
Crypto exchanges, custody providers, OTC desks and broker-dealers, payment processors, stablecoin issuers, token issuers (ICO and STO), DeFi protocols and foundations, Web3 startups and crypto-treasury holding vehicles. Operating teams that need to be regulated to onboard customers, banking and counterparty flow.
What we do
End-to-end licensing across 17 jurisdictions. Jurisdiction strategy, entity formation, AML / KYC programme design, license application, regulator Q&A, banking introductions, and ongoing MLRO and reporting support.
- Licensing. VASP, CASP, VATP, VARA, MSB, MTL, BitLicense, EMI, DLT, AFSL and 20+ other crypto-relevant frameworks.
- AML / KYC. Compliance programme design, transaction monitoring rules, FATF Travel Rule implementation, MLRO function as a service.
- Banking. Direct relationships with crypto-friendly banks across UK, EU, UAE, Singapore, Switzerland and the US.
- Token classification. SEC Howey analysis, MiCA EMT / ART / utility token mapping, FCA financial promotions opinions.
- Ongoing support. Annual filings, change-of-control approvals, regulator audits, AML programme refreshes.
What we believe
Four principles that shape every engagement
Honest assessment first
We say no if your project doesn't fit a jurisdiction, even when it costs us a fee. A wrong-fit application costs you 6–12 months and a refusal on file that follows you everywhere.
One license is rarely enough
We plan multi-jurisdictional structures from day one. A single licensed entity is brittle. The right architecture is two or three legs, not one.
Substance over shells
We won't help build a paper company that collapses on first regulator audit. Director residency, office space, MLRO function and AML governance are designed to be defensible.
Always-current rulebook
Every recommendation is grounded in the current rulebook, not last year's blog post. We update internal jurisdiction memos quarterly and replace them entirely when a regime shifts.
Our team
Senior counsel covering five regions
Key Expert
Daniel R. Whitmore
Founder & Managing Expert
Founder of CLS. Dual-qualified Solicitor (E&W) and NY Attorney. LL.M. Financial Regulation, LSE.
Key Expert
Layla A. Hassan
Lead Expert — MENA & APAC
Founding expert. Lead authority on UAE virtual asset regulation (VARA, ADGM FSRA, DMCC) and APAC licensing.
Key Expert
Marcus T. Andersson
Lead Expert — Americas & Offshore
16 years of international tax structuring and offshore corporate experience. Admitted to the BVI, Cayman and Sweden Bars.
Senior Specialist
Tomáš Novák
Senior Counsel — EU & Eastern Europe
Leads the firm's MiCA implementation practice and Eastern European jurisdictions. Former EBA Senior Policy Officer.
Senior Specialist
Dr. Ingrid Müller
Senior Compliance Officer & AML Lead
Lead authority on AML / CFT compliance frameworks. Former senior examiner at FINMA. PhD Financial Regulation, Zurich.
Where we are
Five offices, one partnership
We're not a referral network of independent firms. Every office is part of one partnership, on one matter management system, with one engagement letter for the client.
HQ
London
London, United Kingdom
MENA
Dubai
Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE
APAC
Singapore
Singapore Central Business District
EU
Tallinn
Tallinn, Estonia
Americas
Miami
Miami, Florida, United States
Recognition
Where the market places us
Independent rankings, working-group seats and industry memberships. We don't pay for entries.
