
Tiffany J. Smith
Partner
- Co-Chair, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Working Group
Tiffany J. Smith has over fifteen years of experience advising and representing broker-dealers, financial institutions, and technology companies (including crypto companies) on cutting-edge regulatory and compliance matters. She has a broad client base including traditional financial institutions such as broker-dealers and exchanges, crypto platforms, NFT issuers and platforms, Web3 companies, payment platforms and investment firms.
Tiffany is a nationally recognized and Chambers Fintech ranked expert on crypto regulation. She has a deep understanding of trading, crypto, and securities regulations, and served as a witness at a House Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Artificial Intelligence hearing on crypto market structure. Tiffany is a sought-out adviser to some of the largest and most prominent U.S. and international fintech and crypto companies on their most critical matters. Her representative matters include those related to, among others: registration and licensing applications; product counseling and coordination of global product reviews; drafting comment letters on proposed rules and regulations; advising on regulatory and policy strategy development; developing policies and procedures; drafting amicus briefs in connection with crypto cases; and federal and state examination, enforcement, and litigation.
Tiffany also frequently represents and counsels traditional financial entities on a range of both routine and business critical matters. Her representative matters include advising on, among others: newly adopted rules and increased areas of focus; registration matters (e.g., broker-dealer); the regulatory implications of new and emerging technologies (e.g., AI); offshore activities; product counseling; technical rules (e.g., Reg T, CAT, Rule 15c3-5); internal investigations; enforcement actions; and corporate transactions, including broker-dealer acquisitions and continuing membership applications.
At the firm, Ms. Smith has been active on the Diversity Committee, Hiring Committee, Pro Bono and Community Service Committee, and various volunteer-based initiatives. From 2016–2019, she was co-chair of firm's New York summer associate program.
While in law school, Ms. Smith was a Compliance Audit Specialist for M&T Securities. She audited personnel to ensure compliance with internal, federal and self-regulatory organization rules, and held the following securities licenses: Series 6, 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65. Ms. Smith also interned at the Investment Management Division of the SEC and the Litigation Department at FINRA.
Professional Activities
Ms. Smith frequently speaks on crypto, AI and diversity issues at conferences and client events, and has been featured in a number of publications regarding these topics including Forbes, NPR, the Business Insider and Chambers Associate. Ms. Smith was appointed to Law360’s FinTech Editorial Advisory Board for 2024.
In 2014, Ms. Smith completed the Council of Urban Professionals Executive Leadership Program, a year-long leadership development program comprised of leadership training, coaching and keynote conversations with executives, and is a 2020 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellow. Ms. Smith is also a member of the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance, Women in Crypto, the New York City Bar, the National Bar Association, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association and the LGBT Bar Association of New York; and on the Board of the Legal Aid Society.
Recognition
- Ranked by Chambers FinTech USA 2025 in the area of FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies, sources say that "Tiffany is an exceptionally talented lawyer. Her client service is unmatched. She is highly sophisticated and knowledgeable of both legal and business issues." "Tiffany is fantastic, a trusted adviser, problem solver and industry nerd, in the best way. She is commercially minded and understands that we need to make risk-based decisions."
- Crain's New York Business Notable Women in Law List, 2023
- Recognized as a "Next Generation Lawyer" in the area of Finance: FinTech by The Legal 500 United States. Sources say that Ms. Smith "really leads the way for the firm’s FinTech practice and consistently provides critical advice on cutting edge issues that often have no clear answer or even legal basis (when it comes to emerging crypto and blockchain issues). Her advice spans the range of the firm’s fintech practice, from transactional issues to registrations to enforcement to policy developments, and is my go to for any pressing matters." Others have noted that she "is well-versed in broker dealer as well as cryptocurrency regulatory compliance.”
- Named to The American Lawyer’s list of “Northeast Trailblazers,” 2022
- Recognized as a "Rising Star" in the 2015–2021 editions of New York Super Lawyers
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Top 20 Rising Star, 2020
- New York Law Journal’s Rising Stars List, 2020
- National Bar Association 40 Under 40: Nation’s Best Advocates List, 2020
- Recognized as a “40 Under Forty” Achiever by The Network Journal, 2019
- Pro Bono Publico Award, Legal Aid Society, 2015
- Volunteer Appreciation Award, WilmerHale, 2011
Insights & News
Credentials
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Education
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JD, The George Washington University Law School, 2008
with honors -
BBA, The George Washington University, 2004
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Admissions
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District of Columbia
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New York
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Credentials
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Education
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JD, The George Washington University Law School, 2008
with honors -
BBA, The George Washington University, 2004
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Admissions
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District of Columbia
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New York
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