In the present-day, cryptocurrency is no longer as uncontrollable or decentralized as it was just several years ago. That’s why legal expertise is crucial when working with crypto assets. Our firm offers the assistance of experienced lawyers specializing in crypto project support, litigation defense, and consulting on mining, crypto taxation, and digital asset payments.
The Garantex Wallet Freeze: Sanctions and Centralization
Here is one example that demonstrates both the risk of non-compliance in companies and the risk of depending too much on one centralized coin. On March 6, 2025, the Russian exchange Garantex reported that Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, had frozen 25 million USD worth of crypto in its wallets. Trading was suspended on the exchange’s website, citing “technical maintenance.”
Although USDT has long been promoted as a stable asset allegedly backed by real dollars, it is important to remember that Tether is a private company bound by sanctions compliance.
This means:
- Tether can freeze user assets and block wallets.
- The company must follow OFAC and other international sanctions regulations.
- USDT’s technical design allows token freezes, contradicting the original decentralized vision of cryptocurrency.
Does this mean you should avoid stablecoins? Not necessarily—but using USDT or USDC inherently implies dependency on issuer decisions, including potential freezing. To mitigate such risks, you may consider decentralized alternatives like DAI. DAI is backed by cryptocurrencies (e.g., ETH, WBTC) and issued by the MakerDAO protocol rather than a centralized entity. Still, even DAI is gradually becoming susceptible to regulatory influence as part of its reserves are now held in centralized USDS.
If you are dealing with centralized crypto assets (USDT, USDC, XRP, XLM, HBAR, etc.), it is essential to understand to what extent they are exposed to external control.
Choosing a cryptocurrency should focus not only on convenience but also involve a careful assessment of potential legal and regulatory risks. As the present-day legal landscape is evolving, asset due diligence is becoming a critical part of any safe crypto strategy. Our experts can help you select the most secure and promising digital assets.
Our Legal Services
We offer legal support for individuals and legal entities working with cryptocurrency and other digital financial assets. Our services cover legal, tax, and compliance issues, so you can use crypto tools safely and remain compliant with applicable laws.
Our main areas of expertise include:
- Legal audit and compliance: We assess risks, design internal policies, and develop legally sound compliance strategies.
- Support for private miners and mining firms: Assistance in setting up processes, obtaining licenses, and managing taxes.
- Crypto payment structuring: Legal structuring of international payments in compliance with currency control and tax laws.
- Tax planning and consulting: Expert guidance on crypto mining and asset sale taxation.
- Crypto ownership structuring: Advice on asset protection, inheritance, and legal transfers of crypto.
- Blockchain integration in business: Legal support for implementing digital currencies, smart contracts, and DeFi tools.
- Government interactions: Representation and legal opinions for state authorities and regulators.
- Dispute resolution and defense: Legal strategy, documentation, court representation, and regulatory negotiations.
Our high-level of expertise in blockchain technology and years of hands-on crypto industry experience set us apart. We support clients at every stage, from transaction structuring to court defense and regulatory interactions.
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Who Can Benefit From Our Services?
Our clients include crypto-focused businesses, particularly those involved in international settlements. Our services are also ideal for:
- Distributors, payment services, and businesses transacting in crypto with foreign partners;
- Private miners, mining companies, infrastructure operators, mining pool participants, and investors;
- Non-profits (e.g., foundations, associations) accepting crypto donations;
- Private investors, holders of digital assets, participants in blockchain and crypto startups.
If your business or activities involve cryptocurrency, we provide expert support on legal, tax, and operational matters.
When Should You Contact Us?
With us, you can receive legal advice on how to use crypto assets in various jurisdictions, including written legal opinions. Our assistance will be of use if you are planning to integrate cryptocurrency into your business or personal finances.
We can assist when:
- You need to accept crypto payments or pay for goods/services in crypto. We will structure the transaction, draft the contract, and ensure legal compliance, including cross-border options.
- You are buying or selling crypto. We support every step of the transaction.
- You need to verify that crypto assets are “clean”, i.e. not linked to sanctioned wallets, to avoid potential freezing.
- You want to document crypto ownership history or resolve tax issues.
- You want to donate crypto to a non-profit or receive it as an non-profit. We will ensure all documents and compliance are in order.
- You are launching a crypto project. We prepare legal documents, ensure MiCA and other jurisdictional compliance, and guide implementation.
- You plan to engage in mining. We will provide documentation and guidance on taxes and reporting.
- You face disputes or regulatory claims related to crypto usage. We will defend your interests and represent you before the authorities.
We can also help develop internal crypto usage policies and robust security protocols for your organization.
Additional EU-Focused Services: Legal Compliance Under MiCA
With the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) in force since May 2023, the European crypto space now has a unified legal foundation. Cryptocurrencies are legal across the EU but are not recognized as legal tender. MiCA:
- Requires KYC and AML compliance for all crypto transactions.
- Enforces the Travel Rule starting late 2024.
- Allows custody services only with licensing.
- Imposes national taxation—for instance, 26% in Italy on annual gains above €2,000; 19–28% in Spain.
- Mandates CASP licensing for exchanges, custodians, issuers, and advisors.
- Introduces specific rules for stablecoins: EMTs (backed by fiat) and ARTs (backed by other assets), requiring separate licenses, reserve audits, and issuance limits.
While MiCA strengthens transparency and investor protection, areas like DeFi and NFTs remain outside its current scope.
We assist crypto businesses in aligning with MiCA and EU laws:
- Legal analysis of your business model for EU compliance;
- Drafting internal policies, platform terms of use, privacy policies, and partner agreements;
- Creating white papers for tokens and digital assets;
- AML and KYC guidance;
- Blockchain legal structuring across industries;
- Crypto taxation consulting.
Why Choose Us?
Our clientele includes leading banks, mobile operators, major airlines, industrial giants, and thousands of individuals. We take a personalized approach to every case, leveraging up-to-date legal strategies based on global best practices.
To date, we’ve helped safeguard over $44 billion in assets.
How We Work:
- Free initial consultation;
- Detailed review of your case, including technical specifics;
- Custom legal strategies and step-by-step plans;
- Full-cycle support for mining and digital asset investments;
- Legal protection from asset freezes, sanctions, disputes, and regulatory claims.
We work with clients until the desired outcome is achieved. If you have questions about working with cryptocurrency, please contact us today!
