Sophia Peter is an associate in the Financial Services Regulatory team in our Disputes practice in Frankfurt.
Sophia has extensive experience in advising international and German banks, financial institutions, fintech mandates and payment service providers. She advises in internal and external investigations as well as in contentious and non-contentious matters, supports in ongoing regulatory proceedings and advises on transactions in regulatory matters.
Background
Sophia graduated in law at the University of Passau. Prior to joining the FSR practice, she worked in Corporate / M&A at Herbert Smith Freehills. In addition, she gained experience in regulatory law at the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and at a German financial audit firm specializing in financial institutions.
Sophia is fluent in both English and German, having grown up in London, Hong Kong, Frankfurt and Munich. She also speaks Spanish.
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- a global investment bank in connection with implementing a new global Know Your Client ("KYC") process to improve quality of KYC checks, drive efficiency and enhance the client outreach experience. We advised on Anti Money Laundering ("AML") law as well as data privacy aspects and provided an extensive proof of concept and ongoing assistance on AML obligations in multiple jurisdictions to provide a compliant KYC structure in the pilot jurisdictions
- a global investment bank in connection with a Section 44 German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) audit by BaFin. The BaFin audit was focused on compliance with KYC and AML proceedings within the bank. We worked with a team across several jurisdictions, inter alia, UK, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria and USA. This included the work vis-à-vis the relevant regulators in those jurisdictions
- a global investment bank in relation to AML audit findings and communication with the auditor and BaFin and further ongoing regulatory advice, with focus on AML and KYC requirements
- a Japanese gaming and entertainment provider on the regulatory licensing requirements and regulatory obligations in connection with non-fungible tokens (NFT) in the online gaming environment and in metaverse. The mandate also included advice on IP/licensing, gambling, consumer protection, protection of minors and more
- a leading global cryptocurrency exchange on crypto licensing requirements to enter the German market and acquiring a BaFin license. This included strategic advisory across multiple jurisdictions to assist the client on assessing how to enter the European market
Sectors
