Cleary Gottlieb Wins Law360 2025 Fintech ‘Practice Group of the Year’

Cleary Gottlieb has been named a Law360 2025 Fintech Practice Group of the Year for its role in securing “landmark victories for leaders of some of the largest digital asset companies, defeating the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in precedent-setting enforcement actions, securing billions in recoveries in a bankruptcy and shaping regulatory frameworks for the future of fintech.”

This year, the firm’s fintech group was particularly lauded for representing Ripple Lab’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse in the SEC’s “long-running” enforcement action over alleged unregistered sales of the company’s native crypto XRP—one of the first crypto cases that went to summary judgment—which “helped change how the crypto industry responded to regulators.”

Law360 highlighted the group’s “major industry victory” for Kraken, in which the SEC alleged it operated unlawfully as an unregistered exchange, broker-dealer and clearing agency. A case “intended to put the company out of business,” in March 2025, the SEC dismissed all claims with prejudice, without penalties or changes to Kraken’s business.

The team was also praised for pioneering a “first-of-its-kind” plan on behalf of Genesis debtors in the Genesis Global Holdco bankruptcy that returned cryptocurrency to the to creditors on an in-kind basis, enabling more than $4.5 billion in recoveries and for advising Coinbase on “market-defining” regulatory and transactional matters.

In addition, Law360 noted the group’s “inherently multidisciplinary” work as regulatory counsel to DTCC on its tokenized collateral management platform spanning multiple jurisdictions. “For any given matter, you’re dealing with securities laws, commodities laws, banking regulation, bankruptcy, corporate governance,” Cleary partner Brandon Hammer said. “It really requires you to be on your toes.”

“The most gratifying part of my job is having clients who are willing to stand with us,” Cleary partner Matthew Solomon said. “They put their reputations at stake and fight against the government with uncertain outcomes, setting precedent that will give clarity or help other players in the industry.”

Cleary has been at the forefront of the fintech industry and continues to serve as the go-to counsel for leading companies, making our interdisciplinary practice unmatched among peers as we continue to help shape the rule of law through our pioneering work.

Each year, Law360 recognizes firm practice groups that have successfully advised clients on litigation wins and major deals that resonated throughout the legal industry. Cleary was one of four firms receiving distinction for its Fintech practice.

Read Law360’s full profile of Cleary’s fintech group.