Jen Lee
AssociateJen is a member of the Intellectual Property and Technology Group based in DLA Piper's Hong Kong office.
Jen advises financial services providers, fintech companies and Web3 participants on their regulatory compliance requirements, licensing applications, token issuance, real-world asset tokenisation projects, and strategic expansion into the APAC and the UAE. Her current practice focuses on regulatory compliance and licensing advice for digital asset exchanges, custodians, and market makers on the provision of services involving digital assets and the use of emerging technologies. Jen also has experience in matters involving data privacy compliance, funds formation, and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
Jen is a core member of the DLA Piper team that advised the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) on the creation of its virtual assets specific regulatory framework. She continues to support VARA on the ongoing development and enforcement of its regulations and rulebooks.
Jen has worked with tier-1 financial institutions, governmental bodies and universities on multi-jurisdictional fintech related projects and partnerships prior to joining the legal practice.
EXPERIENCE
Digital Assets & Web 3
- Advised the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) on the creation of the Emirate’s virtual assets specific regulatory framework.
- Advised a leading digital asset market making firm on regulatory and commercial issues in digital asset transactions in the context of liquidity provision arrangements, and regulatory treatment of its proposed product offerings from a Hong Kong laws perspective.
- Advised a global Web3 payments and onboarding infrastructure provider on regulatory compliance and licensing requirements for its strategic expansion into the APAC.
- Advised Boston Consulting Group in an inaugural e-HKD pilot programme by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), supporting on legal and regulatory analyses of the pilot “tokenised property-backed secured lending with ring-fenced usage” and drafting pilot documentation.
- Advised a global digital assets exchange on regulatory compliance and licensing requirements in connection with its product offerings and commercial activities in the APAC and the EU.
- Advised a Hong Kong technology company on its licensing application for a virtual asset trading platform (VATP) under the regulatory regime of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC).
- Advised a video streaming platform on the issuance and governance of new tokens with a view to address key legal and regulatory risks from a Hong Kong laws perspective.
Commercial & Regulatory
- Advised a global banking group on formulating an internal cross-border guide which covers regulatory licensing and marketing requirements from a Hong Kong laws perspective.
- Advised a global insurance services provider on the SFC and the Insurance Authority (IA) regulatory compliance requirements in the context of its global restructuring.
- Advised a technology and Software-as-a-Service provider headquartered in Singapore on regulatory compliance requirements in its strategic expansion into Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi.
- Acted on behalf of a Hong Kong-based smart solutions provider to discuss with the HKMA on the re-assessment of its stored value facilities (SVF) licence following changes in its business model.
Technology, Media and Telecommunications
- Advised a financial institution on its global data privacy compliance refresh, reviewing and preparing requisite documentation for its entities in the APAC.
- Advised a global logistics services provider on data protection agreements to be entered with its technology vendors and end customers.
- Advised a financial institution on key consent and opt-out requirements relating to direct marketing, digital display advertising and related activities concerning consumers in Hong Kong.
- Advised a global advertising agency on its strategic expansion, reviewing and preparing data privacy compliance and commercial documentation for its proposed setup in the APAC.
- Advised a UK-based e-commerce company on the provision of its online shopping services in the PRC, reviewing and drafting requisite commercial agreements.
Corporate M&A and Funds
- Advised a global healthcare group on the sale of its healthcare solutions business in a transaction valued at US$1.2 billion.
- Advised a global Fintech-as-a-Service company on its acquisition of a Hong Kong company which offers an international trading platform for businesses.
- Advised a Hong Kong-based hedge fund manager and its spun-off entity on digital assets fund structuring and formation.
- Advised a US-based asset manager on legal due diligence for its acquisition of a Hong Kong SFC licensed entity.
- English
- Korean
- University of Hong Kong, PCLL
- University of Hong Kong, BSS(GL) and LLB
Bylines
- Reimagining a Future Empowered by e-HKD, Tokenised Deposits and Stablecoins, 19 March 2024 (co-author)
- SFC issues proposed regulatory requirements for licensed virtual asset trading platforms, 30 March 2023 (co-author)
- SFC's climate-related risks and enhanced ESG disclosure requirements for fund managers, 8 August 2022 (contributor without authorship)
- SFC and HKMA Joint Circular on intermediaries' virtual asset-related activities, 28 February 2022 (contributor without authorship)
- Cyberfrauds and Cyberattacks: Remote Working Posing Increased Risks and How to Stay Protected, 14 December 2020 (contributor without authorship)
