Overview
Dana Syracuse is a partner in the Fintech & Global Payments practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s New York office. His practice focuses on the blockchain, fintech, e-commerce, and financial services sectors, working with clients on regulatory, business and product counseling, cyber and data security, and enforcement concerns.
Dana is the former associate general counsel for the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and a leading figure in the development of the country’s first comprehensive digital currency regulation. He works with a range of fintech and digital business clients on federal and state regulatory, licensing, compliance and enforcement matters, complex bank regulatory issues, including, privacy, data, and cyber security, anti-money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act and Know-Your-Customer matters, consumer protection, as well as contract drafting and negotiations. Dana frequently interacts with lawmakers at the state and federal level on many of these issues, including testifying before the United States House of Representatives on the future of virtual currency and blockchain regulation.
Prior to serving with NYDFS, Dana was an assistant attorney general in the Taxpayer Protection Bureau of the Office of the New York State Attorney General. He advises on banking and insurance regulations, money transmission, emerging payment systems, virtual currency regulation, and cybersecurity practices of regulated industries.
Dana is a frequent media commentator, speaker, and author on virtual and crypto currencies, money laundering, financial services regulations, data security privacy, and the balance between innovation and regulation in the financial sector.
Recognitions
- Chambers USA: Fintech Legal, Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies, Band 4 (2025)
- The Legal 500 US, Recommended for Fintech
Education
- Brooklyn Law School, J.D.
- New York University, B.S.
insights
- PHFintech: Crypto Policy Tracker - December 6, 2024 - December 6th, 2024
- PHFintech: Crypto Policy Tracker - November 22, 2024 - November 22nd, 2024
- PHFintech: Crypto Policy Tracker - November 15th, 2024
- The SEC Alleges Software Provider to be a Broker and Underwriter in Continued Crackdown on the Crypto Industry - July 10th, 2024
- FinCEN’s Mixer 311 Has Immediate Impacts for U.S. Financial Institutions and De-Fi Protocols - November 2nd, 2023
- Seven Things to Know About California’s New Crypto Licensing Bill - October 24th, 2023
Involvement
- Participating Lawyer, Digital Currency & Ledger Defense Coalition