Compliance Champions: Inside the Compliance Strategy of a Global Crypto Firm

Delphine Forma sits down with Gino Wirthensohn, Chief Compliance Officer at Laser Digital, the digital asset spin-off of Nomura with operations across the globe. From writing his first paper on Bitcoin in 2014 to helping Laser Digital secure multiple licenses across the UAE, Gino shares a journey that bridges TradFi rigor with Web3 innovation.

The episode explores how Gino’s team approaches compliance at scale across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong focus on UAE regulations. He breaks down:

• The regulatory complexity of operating in the UAE, including VARA, ADGM FSRA, and other zones
• How Laser Digital pursued VASP licenses and structured a phased licensing approach
• The evolving role of technology and on-chain data in supervision and compliance
• How market abuse rules are enforced in the UAE—and how they differ from TradFi
• Why localization, licensing strategy, and robust first-line controls are critical in scaling regulated crypto operations
• His views on the compliance potential of DeFi, and why centralized players may become gateways to permissionless finance

Whether you’re launching a crypto startup or scaling a global compliance function, Gino’s insights on regulatory strategy, risk mitigation, and multi-jurisdictional alignment are a must-listen.