Perkins Coie LLP, a leading blockchain and fintech law firm based in the U.S., has announced the appointment of two leading blockchain and fintech pros with consortium and international experience.

Jacob S. Farber and Frederick B. Fedynyshyn are joining the company as senior counsel. According to the official release, Farber rejoins Perkins Coie in its Washington, D.C., office after spending the last year as General Counsel and co-head of regulatory affairs at R3 blockchain consortium. His practice focuses on blockchain/distributed ledger technology (DLT) and fintech, including DLT implementation by financial services companies and large enterprises, decentralized digital currencies, ecommerce, emerging and online payment systems, and financial services regulation.

Fedynyshyn, based in Perkins Coie’s Seattle office, brings hands-on experience with the commercial applications of digital currencies and blockchain technology that he uses to guide clients through many and varied legal, regulatory and compliance issues raised by these technologies. He joins Perkins Coin from pan-African blockchain-based payments and trading platform BitPesa, where he served as chief legal and compliance officer.

“Jacob and Fred have deep experience and knowledge in the complex legal and technology issues faced by companies innovating in the areas of blockchain and fintech. They are among the few practitioners in this area with lengthy track records of navigating the issues and applications specific to payments, blockchain transactions and smart contracts. I am delighted to welcome them to the firm”, said J. Dax Hansen, a partner in Perkins Coie’s Technology Transactions & Privacy practice and Chair of the firm’s Blockchain and Fintech industry groups.

Perkins Coie launched Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group in May 2013 as the world’s first legal practice focused on decentralized cryptocurrencies and shared ledger technologies. The firm recently helped form and currently serves as legal counsel to the newly established Enterprise Ethereum Alliance.