Adrian Ang

Partner

Adrian is a Partner in the Financial Services Department and is Co-Head of both the Firm’s FinTech Practice as well as its ESG & Public Policy Practice.

Adrian’s practice encompasses advising clients on regulatory matters affecting the financial services industry including, licensing matters, the setting up of payment services, the distribution of financial products, outsourcing arrangements and conduct of business requirements.

Adrian has been active in the FinTech sphere, being involved in contributing to policy formation and the enactment of FinTech related legislation. Adrian has advised on a variety of FinTech models including payment systems, stablecoins, deposit tokens, cryptocurrencies, equity and debt crowdfunding platforms, P2P lending platforms, online lending intermediary based platforms, robo-advisors, virtual stored value facility providers, initial coin offering structures, security token exchanges, digital payment token exchanges and the sale of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). He was also appointed as an EXCO member of the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA), and is the only lawyer in private practice on the SFA EXCO.

In the sphere of public policy, Adrian has assisted with the consideration and roll-out of new policies affecting the financial industry and is frequently involved in the coordination and provision of industry views on policy and regulatory matters in relation to both private and public consultations.

Adrian graduated from the University of Oxford with a B.A. (Hons) degree in 2002 and a M.A. in 2006. He was a College Exhibitioner and a winner of multiple College Book Prizes. In 2003, Adrian graduated top of his cohort for the Graduate Diploma in Singapore Law course administered by the National University of Singapore and was called to the Singapore Bar in June 2004. He is also a non-practising solicitor of England and Wales, having been admitted to the Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales in March 2006.

Adrian is recommended as a key practitioner in several leading publications.

He is consistently recognised for his expertise in fintech and financial regulatory work in Chambers Global, Chambers Asia-Pacific and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. Chambers Global notes that Adrian “is a first-class lawyer: he’s sharp, commercial and understands client objectives” and Chambers Asia-Pacific notes that “Adrian Ang is the most talented crypto lawyer in Singapore. He is the one-stop shop to get all legal answers on crypto trends in this jurisdiction” and that “he takes the time to understand our business model and provides well thought-through commercial solutions to regulatory issues that we may face”. In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Adrian is identified as a “Leading Individual” and is described as being “truly world-class” and “the best financial regulatory lawyer in town. He has a razor-sharp legal mind and this is complemented with very practical commercial sensibilities.” Clients say that Adrian is an “excellent lawyer with a first-class mind, who always ensures his clients’ interests are properly protected”. He is “extremely knowledgeable”, with an innate ability to navigate “myriad regulations with ease” and balance “technical excellence with a commercial mindset”, as well as going “the extra mile to provide prompt advice when time is of the essence”. Clients comment that “Adrian Ang is formidable, brilliant and honest. As a pioneer in the fintech regulatory space, he is dedicated to providing thought leadership in the field and is well-respected by regulators and by his peers” and that he “is exceptionally talented and impressive. His knowledge in the sector is second to none and his technical ability and commercial awareness far outstrip many more senior practitioners in the field.” Other clients note that “with Adrian Ang’s vast experience in this area, we can always count on him for effective and practical advice and solutions”, he “grasps commercial issues quickly, is very responsive, and provides thorough advice”, his "experience and professionalism is outstanding” and that “Adrian remains the leading financial regulatory lawyer in Singapore and thoroughly deserves his sterling reputation in the market". Clients note that “The fintech practice is extremely strong, largely due to the leadership, drive and technical ability of its team leader Adrian Ang.”

Adrian is named as a recommended lawyer by Lexology Index: Banking - Regulatory 2022 as well as Lexology Index: Southeast Asia Banking 2022 in which he is heralded for his “in-depth knowledge of the digital asset space as a whole” and “ability to answer any question off the cuff”. Adrian is the only private practice lawyer in Singapore who has been named in the 2020 Global Banking Regulation Review’s (GBRR) “45 under 45” list of top banking regulation specialists from around the world.

Adrian is also named as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Lexology Index: Banking - Fintech. He is ranked Band 1 in Chambers FinTech. Clients praise him as being “outstanding at any point in time” and one source comments that he has “never seen an external lawyer respond in such a fast, succinct way. His responsiveness is incredible”. Another client notes that he “provides practical advice and is very commercial. He is my go-to lawyer in Singapore with respect to digital currency-related issues. This is an area that is constantly evolving and Adrian is always able to provide thoughtful, risk-based advice.” Lexology Index also notes that he “is a keystone of the region in terms of fintech expertise” and is “one of the stars of the international fintech market”. 

One client praises “the stellar team that he runs” as having “gone out of their way to ensure that sound, thorough, and professional guidance is never more than a phone call away” and notes wryly that “if [he] participate[s] in “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” one day, [he] knows who to dial”.

Prior to joining Allen & Gledhill in 2011, Adrian was with the Monetary Authority of Singapore and was in legal practice in London and Singapore with a leading international law firm for several years.

Work Highlights

• Advised DBS on its setting up of its DBS Digital Exchange (Singapore’s first security token and digital payment token exchange with an integrated tokenisation, trading and custody ecosystem) and the first digital notes that were issued on the DBS Digital Exchange.
• Advised a consortium of financial institutions on creating a new blockchain-based platform for payments, trade and foreign exchange settlement. The JV company will leverage blockchain technology and digitise commercial bank money, with the aim of reducing current frictions and time delays in cross-border payments, trade and currency settlements.
• Advised a consortium of financial institutions on the setting up of a carbon exchange and global marketplace to provide corporates with high quality carbon credits and effective solutions to tackle climate change. This will be the world’s first carbon exchange and marketplace to use satellite monitoring, machine learning and blockchain technology to enhance transparency, integrity and quality of carbon credits.